The Sri Lankan Army in a joint operation with the police force, is set to intensify its operations in the Eastern Province ahead of the Provincial Council elections due to be held there next month.
According to a senior police officer, raids will be conducted on locations throughout the East, where they suspect illegal activity, such as the storage of firearms, is taking place.
Speaking to Ceylon Today, a police officer was quoted as saying,
"We have received details from the police headquarters in Colombo to tighten security, in order to conduct the election in a free and fair manner. The Election Commissioner has written to the IGP asking him to disarm political groups or individuals carrying weapons. Likewise, we will be conducting an operation to disarm all groups to have a violence free election”.
He also said that if weapons are not handed into the police department then “strict action” will be taken against the perpetrators.
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