75 Tamils detained in Colombo

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 October 1999, 15:20 GMT]
Several hundred people were arrested and interrogated during a combined cordon and search operation by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police in the Pettah area, a suburb of capital Colombo, last night said sources.

Police sources said about 75 Tamils have been detained for further investigations.

Sources said the Chetti Street and Armour Street areas were searched and added that many who were in possession of 'police registration' were also arrested.

The government appointed anti harassment committee said last week that it was not necessary to carry 'police registration'. The police had been informed not to ask for it during search operations.

This morning, R. Yogarajan, M.P, contacted the SLA officer in-charge of yesterday's operation to complain about "unnecessary arrests".

According to the MP, the SLA officer reacted angrily and informed the MP that he was a lawyer and he knew the legalities.

The MP said he would be complaining to the Anti Harassment Committee.

Meanwhile security was tightened in the eastern town of Batticaloa as an SLA convoy was scheduled to leave for Polannaruwa this afternoon said security sources.

A large number elite troops who were deployed at key junctions of the town while the police conducted a search operation on the Trincomalee road, which is used by convoys to Polannaruwa, said sources.