78 ARRESTED, REMANDED

At least 78 suspects have been arrested and remanded in connection with violence in the Northwestern Province, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said yesterday.

He said the suspects were arrested in Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Nikaweratiya and Chilaw police areas. He told a news conference that investigations were in progress to identify the other suspects using video clips.

SP Gunasekara said both private and public sector employees were involved in the acts of violence and steps would be taken to inform their respective employers to take disciplinary action against them at institutional level. He said 5500 police personnel had to be deployed in the North Western Province during Monday and Tuesday to control the tense situation.

SP Gunasekara said 85 suspects in connection with the Easter Sunday bomb attack were arrested and being interrogated under the custody of CID and TID.

“65 suspects including eight women are being questioned by the CID while another 20 suspects including two women are being questioned by the TID,” he said.

He said 17 safe houses used by the terrorists had been identified by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The 17 safe houses were located in Katuwapitiya, Negombo - Sarikkamulla, Panadura, St. Anthony’s Road, Colombo 3, Templers Road, Mt. Lavinia, Wanathawillu, Enderamulla, Wattala, Mayura Place, Wellawatte, Sainthamaruthu 9th division, Malwana, Kalagedihena, Thihariya, Kochchikade, Daluwakotuwa, Valaichchenai, Ridiyatenna, Subharathipura, Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Katupotha, Ninthavur and Sammanthurai.

Another seven locations which had been used for conducting training sessions and workshops were also identified by the CID.

They are: Wanathawillu, Hambantota,

Nuwara Eliya, Aruppola in Kandy,

Malwana, Kattankudy and Valaichchenai