COLOMBO EAC MEETING APRIL 11, 2003

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000641 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA, DSERCC AND SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X1, X6 TAGS: ASEC AEMR PTER CASC CE SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING APRIL 11, 2003 REF: Colombo 00623 (U) Classified by S.V. Wright, Regional Security Officer, reason 1.5(C) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) On April 11, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to discuss the local security situation. The DCM chaired the EAC. ¶2. (SBU) The EAC agreed that Colombo appears calm; the trend of decreasing agitation continues. We expect some protests throughout the country and in Colombo today after Friday prayers, but continue to expect these will be small and well controlled by the Sri Lanka Police. This weekend marks the beginning of a holiday week in Sri Lanka that includes the Singhalese and Tamil New Year's celebrations and Easter. We expect virtually all Sri Lankans to be focused on these events rather than events in Iraq and elsewhere. ¶3. (SBU) The EAC decided to disband the use of the LAV shuttle effective COB Friday April 11 unless the security situation degrades. The Embassy will be closed Monday April 14 for a local holiday. The EAC will convene again and reassess the security situation Tuesday April 15. ¶4. (SBU) The local police will remain deployed at all the residences for one more week. ¶5. (SBU) Previous in-country travel restrictions remain in effect. ¶6. (S) RSO reminded EAC members of our walk-in procedures and that if any person claiming knowledge of any threat information approaches any employee, Post 1 and/or RSO must be contacted immediately. (RSO and DCM will meet with the Subject of reftel on Saturday April 12. Following initial assessment, RSO will arrange for follow-up meetings and interviews, if appropriate.) Wills