Colombo, June 26: After a spate of killings by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, old days of tight security have returned to the Sri Lankan capital with police and military checkpoints mushrooming across the city.
Police today said they were intensifying security of the capital after monday's slaying of police intelligence officer Sunil Thabrew by a suspected LTTE gunman who has since been arrested.
Government spokesman and constitutional affairs minister admitted that security was being strengthened in the country and the authorities had also protested to the LTTE about the killings.
According to official figures over 30 people, including rebel rivals and intelligence officers had been gunned down by suspected LTTE men since a truce went into effect since February 23 last year. Police chief T I Anandarajah told local media here that they will set up "mobile" checks in the city as opposed to the earlier system of permanent road blocks at strategic places.

The police chief said more police units will be deployed to set up sudden checks in many parts of the city and security forces will be called in to help the police where necessary.

Bureau Report