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Colombo celebrations to go ahead

Sri Lanka will hold large-scale civilian and military independence day celebrations in the capital next month despite fears of Tamil rebel attacks, officials said yesterday.

Security will be increased ahead of the 60th Freedom Day on Feb. 4, with 4,100 extra security personnel bolstering thousands of police and soldiers, Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya said.

"Cultural and sporting events will also be held in addition to the main event in Colombo," Jayasuriya said, adding that armed forces will provide major security support.

The extra security follows the collapse of a moribund 2002 truce between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) this month and a surge in fighting in northern areas of the country where the guerillas run a de facto state.

"We are taking maximum precautionary measures against any attack," said a police official in the capital, who declined to be named.

The main celebration takes place along the Galle Face promenade and access to the area, which is normally busy with walkers, was severely restricted yesterday.

Fighting between troops near the LTTE-controlled Wanni region in the north left 33 guerrillas and one government soldier dead over the weekend, the defense ministry said.
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