Fear psychosis pervades the country

• Streets were largely empty with people remaining indoors 

By Kelum Bandara

A fear psychosis over possible terror attacks gripped the country yesterday with most people staying indoors.   

Vehicular traffic was much less in Colombo with most of the shops that were closed for the New Year holidays remaining closed because workers had not reported to work fearing unexpected attacks in the wake of Easter Sunday’s bombings that killed as many as 359 people. 

Vehicles entering Colombo were checked by security authorities while passenger buses had also stopped allowing parcels being kept on the overhead racks in moves reminiscent of wartime security measures. 

 
Private bus operators requested people to cooperate with them to ensure the security of passengers who were also asked not to leave any unattended baggage or parcel inside buses.    Government and private sector employees were seen leaving for home earlier than usual while a bomb scare caused panic in Kurunegala with the main bus stand being searched for any suspicious items.   

Streets remained empty in most towns and cities such as Anuradhapura with people being concerned about the return of tight security measures which was considered as a thing of the past.    The police continued search operations and random checks while the supply of food commodities and vegetable being on a much lower scale resulting in vegetable prices remaining relatively high. Meanwhile, parliamentary authorities are planning to restrict the number of people visiting Parliament on sitting days. Such restrictions were relaxed after the war was over allowing anyone to enter the public gallery without advance notice. 

Government and private sector employees were seen leaving for home earlier than usual