SLA arrests 66 Tamils in Colombo, Ampaa'rai, Vavuniyaa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 April 2009, 18:21 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Police from Thursday till Friday morning conducted several cordon search operations in Colombo, Ampaarai, and Vavuniyaa. About 50 civilians, including 40 Tamils were arrested in Colombo division and detained in respective police stations for further inquiry. Police spokesman Ranjit Gunasekara told media that detained civilians had failed to prove their identity and justify their presence in the location. Most of the arrested Tamils are residents of Jaffna. 14 Tamil youths were taken into custody in Wellawatte area, he said.

Meanwhile, 30 civilians including 26 Tamils were taken into custody in cordon and search operations conducted by the Special Task Force with the Police in police divisions of Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Paandiruppu in eastern province, police spokesman Ranjit Gunasekara said.

Pedestrians and those traveling in vehicles were stopped and searched during the operations.