Diplomats heed warning of Tigers’ bomb-laden message

COLOMBO: The discovery of high-powered land mines and suicide bomb kits in the Sri Lankan capital is seen by security authorities and diplomats as a message from Tamil Tiger rebels not to take a truce for granted. Police stumbled on two mines and an explosives-filled jacket, the type worn by Tamil Tiger suicide bombers, four days after the guerrillas warned of a “bloodbath” unless the government revived peace talks with them.

“It is obvious that the Tigers are sending a message with these bombs left to be discovered by the authorities,” a Western diplomat said. “The question is how many other such suicide kits are in the city.”

Defence Secretary Cyril Herath and other top military officials discussed security in the capital Friday, a day after the discovery of the bombs, but the government was keen to play down threats of fresh violence.

“We have decided to review security in all vital institutions where this aspect had been neglected for the past two years,” Herath said.

However, official sources said the institutions targeted for the security review underscored unease among authorities as the Norwegian-backed peace bid remained in limbo and the Tigers issued thinly veiled threats. Electricity generating plants, oil storage facilities, state radio and television broadcasters, ports and the country’s only international airport were asked to re-examine their security measures. afp

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