This weekend, almost one thousand people were rounded up in Colombo by Sri Lankan police officers and military personnel, during a massive security operation. After being questioned, hundreds were let go:<\/p>\n\n
By the end of the day, only 53 remained in custody; the police said 5 were members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam guerrilla group. The rest, charged with minor crimes, were released on bail.<\/blockquote>\n\n…The house-to-house sweep on Saturday was carried out primarily in the Tamil enclaves of Colombo by about 2,400 police officers, backed by 2,000 soldiers, sailors and air force personnel. “The operation was aimed at preventing future L.T.T.E. attacks and to ensure the security of Colombo,” said Pujith Jayasundere, deputy inspector general of the police. He said the police were also looking for organized crime figures.[nyt<\/a>]<\/blockquote>\n\nEven when the authorities are polite and professional, memories of sadder times are summoned:<\/p>\n\n
…the police were cordial and explained why they were there. “But it did bring back memories of the frequent searches we were compelled to go through before the cease-fire,” Mr. Joseph said. “I guess we may have to go through more of these in the coming days.”\n<\/blockquote>\n\n…”It was a little inconvenience, but it is our duty to cooperate, especially under the present security situation,” said Sonali Silva, an ethnic Sinhalese and also a resident of Wellawatte.[nyt<\/a>]<\/blockquote>\n\nThe nation’s current events are worrisome (from the BBC<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n
\nThe recent wave of violence is the worst since the February 2002 ceasefire, which was called after a two-decade conflict had claimed more than 64,000 lives.<\/p>\n\n
On Sunday, Joseph Pararajasingam, a Tamil MP representing a party with close links with the Tamil Tigers, was shot dead in the eastern city of Batticaloa while celebrating a Christmas Mass.\n<\/p>\n
\nOn Tuesday, international peace monitors overseeing the truce said they were “very concerned about the future of the ceasefire agreement”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This weekend, almost one thousand people were rounded up in Colombo by Sri Lankan police officers and military personnel, during a massive security operation. After being questioned, hundreds were let go: By the end of the day, only 53 remained … Continue reading