STF sets up camp in Thuraineelavanai library

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 August 2001, 20:12 GMT]
Commandos of the elite Special Task Force (STF) of the Sri Lankan security forces set up camp in a library 29 kilometres south of Batticaloa on Monday, sources said. Residents of the village of Thuraineelavanai said that the STF had moved into their village Monday evening and had occupied the local library.

The Sri Lanka Police has been using the public library at Arasadi, in Batticaloa town for more than decade despite objections from educationalists in the eastern town.

Tuesday morning the STF announced on the loud hailer system of the main temple in the village of Thuarineelavanai that it is imposing a strict 12-hour curfew in the village from evening 6 p.m. to morning 6 p.m.

The STF ordered residents to close shops in the village at 5.30 p.m. and conclude worship in the local temples before 5 p.m. A government official in the village said that agricultural labourers and government servants who work in other parts of the Batticaloa district would be in dire straits as a consequence of the STF order that people should get back to the village before 6 p.m.

"The STF order, as usual, will only affect innocent civilians. It will make the people more angry", said a retired school principal in Thuraineelavanai.