Colombo: Powder not Dangerous, Embassy Resumes Normal

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000631 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/SCA, DS/IP/WMD, DS/CC, M/MED, SA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER AMED CE SUBJECT: Colombo: Powder not Dangerous, Embassy Resumes Normal Operations REF: COLOMBO 619 ¶1. (SBU) On June 30, 2008, the Medical Research Institute Department of Bacteriology returned a negative report for anthrax for the sample from the suspicious powder incident of June 25 (see reftel for details). ¶2. (U) The Embassy has re-opened the Compound Access Control (CAC) inspection are for normal operations. Post also issued the folowing warden message/public statement: "The U.S.Embassy in Colombo, which has been closed to the ublic since June 25 after a suspicious powder wa found, will reopen for normal operations Tuesda, July 1, after an investigation determined that te powder did not pose a danger. Visa and other ppointments postponed by the closure are being recheduled on an individual basis." ¶3. (SBU) RSOwill continue to coordinate the investigation intothe incident with the Sri Lankan Police Service nd will report septel. Point of contact for thismessage is Acting DCM/Management Officer Maria E.Brewer (brewerme@state.gov). MOORE