Sri Lanka's military spokesperson, Brig Nihal Hapuarachchi, claimed the civilian protests at the on-going 'grease devil' incidents were a 'terrorist act'.
He warned the army will take action against them under the infamous Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), adding:
"It is wrong for civilians to attack an army camp or police station. Those who do that are terrorists."
Over 120 Tamil civilians have been arrested after protesting at Jaffna's military camp.
"They attacked a joint army-police camp. It is a terrorist act," Brig Hapuarachchi, said about them.
Civilian protests were stirred by public anger at the security forces' apparant inability or indeed unwillingness to apprehend those responsible for the spate of violent attacks on women by night prowlers - so-called 'grease devils'.
Public outrage was heightened by the numerous incidents of prowlers escaping pursuing residents by fleeing into police compounds or army barracks.
The Sri Lankan government claims the incidents are fabricated to disparage the country's reputation.
Yet, the government have increased deployment of army officers, particularly in the East, and established further military checkpoints in Tamil areas, citing the need for added security in view of the prowling grease-devils.
No one has been arrested or charged for any of the reported 'grease-devils' attacks.
The PTA gives the military a wide range of powers, including the artibitary arrest and detention of civilians without charge.
See 'Sri Lanka replaces lifted powers for military'
See also our TGview, 'Terror on cue'
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