2000 arrested in Colombo search
[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 January 2000, 11:39 GMT]
More than 2000 Tamils were arrested in a massive cordon and search operation in Kolonnawa, a suburb of Colombo, and in Gampaha district, today. The combined operation by the Sri Lanka Army and Police began in the early hours of the morning after enforcing a ten-hour curfew.
A large number of police and army were brought from other neighbouring areas to take part in the operation sources said. The arrested were taken in trucks to various police stations and are being systemically screened, police sources said. The police said the operation was conducted to nab LTTE suspects. A large number of people, the kith and kin of the detained, flocked to different police stations soon after the curfew was relaxed at 2 p.m. In a similar operation in Colombo two weeks ago, at least 3000 Tamils were arrested.
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