Electrified fences for Vavuniya Transformers

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 August 1999, 12:02 GMT]
Electricity transformers in the suburbs of Vavuniya are to be protected by electrified fences according to a decision reached at a special meeting convened this afternoon at the Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) Vavuniya headquarters.

The meeting was called in the wake of persistent attacks on transformers in the outskirts of Vavuniya town which were costing the government millions of rupees said an SLA source.

A blasted transformer at the Soosaipillayaarkulam junction in the Vavuniya town.Photo:TamilNet

The Vavuniya Government Agent K.Ganesh, Maj.Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, commanding officer of the 21-1 Brigade, and chief engineer of the Ceylon Electricity Board in Vavuniya K.Sabaratnam took part in the meeting.

It was also decided to secure the assistance of civilians in the areas where the transformers are located. Village officers (grama sevaka) in these places will co-ordinate with the local people to look after the security of the transformers according to the decision reached today.

The blasting of several transformers in the suburbs of Vavuniya that are controlled by the SLA and well armed Tamil paramilitaries has caused serious concern in the Sri Lankan security establishment said a government official.

He said that extra care is necessary under the new security system for the transformers located in the suburbs because the electrified fences could kill cattle and even people.

The SLA says that the Liberation Tigers are behind the attacks on transformers.