Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne said the administration of 137 estates in the Nuwara Eliya District had been crippled by the fear psychosis created by an organised group under the pretext of spirits called Grease Devils. Addressing a meeting of estate managers and superintendents in Nuwara Eliya and Hatton police divisions he said the mysterious killings in Kahawatta created a misconception among the public that an invisible being was responsible for the killings and that it gradually spread to several areas of the country.

The DIG pointed out that an organised group was attempting to create a chaotic situation in the country and that many people were living in constant fear of a possible danger to their life.

He further said, “Inquiries have revealed that an organised group is attempting to disrupt civilian life and to bring disrepute to the government and the police. Publicity given by a section of the media further aggravated the already tense situation. Police arrested 28 individuals involved in this despicable act and the rumour mongers who spread fabricated stories of devils. Four illegal gem miners in the Medawatta area who tapped on the doors and frightened the people to carry on their racket and a gang of poachers in the Walapane area were among those arrested.

A gang that tapped on the doors have received information that the people in the estates are armed with clubs, knives and swords after dusk for their protection. It is an offence to be armed with any kind of weapon and the police will have no alterative but to arrest the individuals armed with weapons.  Police have taken steps to provide adequate protection to the people and that they should not take law into their hand.” 

The DIG instructed the police officers to implement a public awareness programme with the help of the security forces, the Civil Defence Committees and the estate superintendents is to explain the facts and to dispel the fears.

Several senior police and security force personnel including DIG Central Province Nihal Samarakoon and SSP Nuwara Eliyia, Gamini Maturata attended the meeting. (Shelton Hettiarachchi from Nuwara Eliya)