Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05COLOMBO1374
2005-08-05 05:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS COLOMBO 001374
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER CE LTTE
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN JAFFNA
--------
SUMMARY:
--------
The shooting death of a local barber by the Sri Lankan Army
(SLA) quickly deteriorated into a mob at the scene. The
Jaffna police superintendent (SP) entered the crowd to
investigate and disappeared from sight. Security forces
later dispersed the crowd with tear gas. The
superintendent's body was found some hours later stripped,
beaten and stabbed away from the scene. A general curfew has
been declared until 0500 Saturday August 6. Police and SLA
personnel have increased the number of check points and
patrols. There is no direct indication of involvement by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Three Tamil youths
have been detained. END SUMMARY.
----------------------------------
Man Walks Into a Barbershop...
----------------------------------
UNCLAS COLOMBO 001374
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER CE LTTE
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN JAFFNA
--------------
SUMMARY:
--------------
The shooting death of a local barber by the Sri Lankan Army
(SLA) quickly deteriorated into a mob at the scene. The
Jaffna police superintendent (SP) entered the crowd to
investigate and disappeared from sight. Security forces
later dispersed the crowd with tear gas. The
superintendent's body was found some hours later stripped,
beaten and stabbed away from the scene. A general curfew has
been declared until 0500 Saturday August 6. Police and SLA
personnel have increased the number of check points and
patrols. There is no direct indication of involvement by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Three Tamil youths
have been detained. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Man Walks Into a Barbershop...
--------------
1. Two or three SLA soldiers entered a barbershop at Inuvil
junction in Jaffna. One barber is killed and another
reported injured. Stories include an accidental shooting, or
a dispute between a soldier and a barber, or a dispute
between a soldier and an officer getting his hair cut with
the barber caught in the line of fire. After the shooting
the soldiers left the scene and a crowd formed. As the crowd
grew, the SP arrived to investigate. The conditions
surrounding his disappearance are unclear. After the crowd
was disbursed with tear gas the SP was not to be found.
Several hours later his body was found two kilometers from
the crime scene, stripped of his uniform, stabbed and beaten.
The SP had been well liked in the community and was regarded
as even handed. A genral curfew remains in effect until
Saturday morning and there are increased checkpoints on area
roads. Three Tamil youths were detained and there are reports
that they have LTTE links.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. This incident illustrates the volatility of a population
frustrated by a lack of progress in the peace process and
feeling ignored by the central government regarding tsunami
relief and reconstruction in general. This does not help.
Although the degree of LTTE involvement (if any) is unclear,
they are likely to be blamed and this will fuel the fires of
mutual distrust. END COMMENT
BECKER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER CE LTTE
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN JAFFNA
--------------
SUMMARY:
--------------
The shooting death of a local barber by the Sri Lankan Army
(SLA) quickly deteriorated into a mob at the scene. The
Jaffna police superintendent (SP) entered the crowd to
investigate and disappeared from sight. Security forces
later dispersed the crowd with tear gas. The
superintendent's body was found some hours later stripped,
beaten and stabbed away from the scene. A general curfew has
been declared until 0500 Saturday August 6. Police and SLA
personnel have increased the number of check points and
patrols. There is no direct indication of involvement by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Three Tamil youths
have been detained. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Man Walks Into a Barbershop...
--------------
1. Two or three SLA soldiers entered a barbershop at Inuvil
junction in Jaffna. One barber is killed and another
reported injured. Stories include an accidental shooting, or
a dispute between a soldier and a barber, or a dispute
between a soldier and an officer getting his hair cut with
the barber caught in the line of fire. After the shooting
the soldiers left the scene and a crowd formed. As the crowd
grew, the SP arrived to investigate. The conditions
surrounding his disappearance are unclear. After the crowd
was disbursed with tear gas the SP was not to be found.
Several hours later his body was found two kilometers from
the crime scene, stripped of his uniform, stabbed and beaten.
The SP had been well liked in the community and was regarded
as even handed. A genral curfew remains in effect until
Saturday morning and there are increased checkpoints on area
roads. Three Tamil youths were detained and there are reports
that they have LTTE links.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. This incident illustrates the volatility of a population
frustrated by a lack of progress in the peace process and
feeling ignored by the central government regarding tsunami
relief and reconstruction in general. This does not help.
Although the degree of LTTE involvement (if any) is unclear,
they are likely to be blamed and this will fuel the fires of
mutual distrust. END COMMENT
BECKER