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Civilians will be dealt under PTA: Army

5 September 2011 04:35 am - 26     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Those who attack military and police installations are "terrorists" and will be charged with the country's anti-terror regulations, says Sri Lanka military.

Military spokesman Brig. Nihal Hapuarachchi told BBC Sandeshaya that over 120 people were recently arrested in Jaffna as they came to attack a military camp. "They attacked a joint army-police camp. It is a terrorist act," he said
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"It is wrong for civilians to attack an army camp or police station. Those who do that are terrorists. We will take action against them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)," added Brig. Hapuarachchi.

At a recent meeting with Muslim imams, Sri Lanka’s defence secretary said that, just as the army defeated “terrorists”, it would act against anyone making trouble.

'Make fun with military'

"Please remind your people how the military tackle with terrorists. Don’t try to make fun with the military," Mr. Rajapaksa said.

Residents in Jaffna say that fear prevails in the cultural heartland of Tamils due to continuing attacks on women by night prowlers, named as 'grease devils' widely in minority dominated areas of the country.

However, the military spokesman categorically denied the existence of any grease devil, in Jaffna or anywhere in the island.

"I myself visited Jaffna on Thursday, there is no fear at all there. The army and the police took action to control the situation where there have been fear in some places," he said.
Residents in Jaffna claim otherwise.

Sithambara Udayar Kanagasingham, a senior lawyer in Jaffna, says that day to day life is interrupted due to fear of nocturnal prowlers.

'Fear' in Jaffna


For the first time, he says, residents in Kandavil, Jaffna apprehended a young man suspected to be a "grease devil" and handed him over to the police on Thursday night.

"The prevalent belief is that the police and military are more interested in intimidating residents than dealing with the attackers." Mr. Kanagasingham adds that people in Jaffna, especially women are afraid of going out in night.

Military spokesman categorically denied accusations of severely assaulting the protesters before or after arresting them.

An unnamed military source, however, has told the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo that the military used physical force against vigilante crowds.

In an interesting development, says Mr. Kanagasingham, the electricity supply in those areas where grease devil attacks happened to be abruptly disconnected at the time of the attack.
The military source told the BBC that they suspect former Tamil Tigers to be behind the attacks on military.

"I doesn't have to be Tamil Tigers. But anybody who attacks the military is a terrorist," was the response by Brig. Hapuarachchi.

Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times newspaper meanwhile reports that a group of women activists is to petition the Supreme Court on the grounds that the state is failing in its duty to protect women from these perpetrators.

The papers editorial also accused the police and law enforcement authorities of failing to protect the victims. (Source: BBC Sinhala)

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  Comments - 26

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  • Kingsley Abraham Monday, 05 September 2011 07:52 AM

    These are mere accusations against the SL Army. Have you got any proof? Why don't you ask your own UK Army the same question?

    MKL Tuesday, 06 September 2011 07:17 AM

    As you sow so you will reap. This is a proverb which was experienced by many. There is one above all( God ).

    sampath Tuesday, 06 September 2011 02:40 AM

    Try telling that to an average North Korean civilian

    Manjula Monday, 05 September 2011 11:52 PM

    What do you mean by "our country"?. There is no country for you fools who left Sri Lanka by lying to gullible europeans. Now you have to lick white asses and clean their toilets for ever.

    Manjula Monday, 05 September 2011 11:49 PM

    You have to learn English before Tamil. Defence secratary didn't say if you talk against army you are a terrorist. In pure english (of course you didn't understand), he said if you attack an army camp you will be a terrorist.

    Manjula Monday, 05 September 2011 11:53 PM

    You have no proof of what you say. Roumours is the new art of phone hacking journalists and you became a stupid victim of them.

    Manjula Monday, 05 September 2011 11:44 PM

    There is no reason to misuse it. Only some people who pretend as civilians are misusing the civil rights and attack army camps.

    RajasH Monday, 05 September 2011 07:49 PM

    Miracle of Aisa?

    ila Monday, 05 September 2011 05:12 PM

    occupying forces never care about people. Instead, they care about their security and objectives.

    SF Monday, 05 September 2011 09:25 AM

    majority of peace loving people are with the 3 Armed Forces, this statement is meant for those very few who always wants to create trouble and disturb the peace!!!

    claude Monday, 05 September 2011 09:12 AM

    police and armz the same.they can do any thing what they want.ministers wont take any action.only civileans are suffring.only god knows what is happening in NE.

    Sanje Monday, 05 September 2011 08:51 AM

    History is repeating in our country because of 2nd grade pass people like Tom Cruise Jr doing politics in this country.

    anticorrupt Monday, 05 September 2011 08:43 AM

    yes as long as they protect the civillians. if not, the law will tell what to do. our country politicians playing a havoc in law. so where to go. no where. ppl r sick of these & they r made fool again. will see for how long?

    Dushy Ranetunge Monday, 05 September 2011 05:11 AM

    If civilians that attack police and army posts are terrorists, what do you call an army accused of shelling civilians and executing surrendees?

    Minister Monday, 05 September 2011 07:49 AM

    No one has the right to attack anyone in a civilized society!

    Minister Monday, 05 September 2011 07:48 AM

    Then what about those Tamil youth of Jaffna whom we saw in the news warded in Jaffna Hospital with broken arms and legs after being brutally attacked?

    Concerned Monday, 05 September 2011 07:51 AM

    How can an armed force in a country be closer to the hearts of its people with such statements?

    SF Monday, 05 September 2011 06:42 AM

    The 3 Armed Forces are our pride.... infact, pride of any country!

    Baila Monday, 05 September 2011 05:58 AM

    Roshan, i think you can understand why police jeeps protecting grease yaka from the scene.... everyone knows the truth but nobody can talk about it coz if you talk about it your a criminal according to our defense secretary... i dont know whom they are trying to fool.... i'm sick of this!

    sparks Monday, 05 September 2011 05:56 AM

    The statements made by Def. Secy and Military spokesman is arrogant and with total impunity. The sensitivity of the countries civilians and the issue at hand is totally obliterated and revengeful statements towards ordinary citizens is considerered patriotic and heroism.

    Razvi Monday, 05 September 2011 05:58 AM

    You are quite stupid, no one attack anyone unless provoked.
    Let it be military or any powerful-body, if provoked, intimidated or oppressed; naturally it will be attacked. That is called natural law. See the history it is the same today or tomorrow or 1000 years after.

    Vignes Monday, 05 September 2011 05:50 AM

    This is one side story.Are they really attack military ?why do you go arrest night by Army and take them army camp.what about police?same treatment for other part of Sri Lanka?

    ravindrakumar Monday, 05 September 2011 05:28 AM

    "Banana Republic".

    Roshan Monday, 05 September 2011 05:26 AM

    The Police and Army are protecting the grease yakka, instead of the civilains.

    Tom Cruse Jr Monday, 05 September 2011 05:25 AM

    Correct no one has the right to attack a Military or Police station......will the Tamil Diaspora attack a police or Army installation in the UK.......what will be there fate after that??????

    Fayad Monday, 05 September 2011 05:11 AM

    If you misuse PTA it will lead to Military Rule ?????
    Police & Military should protect the civilians then this situation will not arise.


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