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