Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09COLOMBO52, ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC)

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09COLOMBO52.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09COLOMBO52 2009-01-15 12:01 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Colombo
R 151201Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9171
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000052 
 
 
STATE FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/SCA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) 
CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 2009 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
 
1. (U) The following information constitutes RSO Colombo's 
Annual OSAC Crime and Safety Report for 2008. All responses 
are keyed to the format as detailed reftel. 
 
2. (U) 
 
I. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
While Sri Lanka has a high crime rate, relatively little 
common crime has been directed against the American community 
residing in Colombo. Most of the violent crimes occur within 
the local community and involve people who know each other. 
Routine petty crime (such as pickpockets, theft from hotel 
rooms, etc.) is common, and preventable, if the traveler 
takes the appropriate safeguards. Street hustlers, or 
"touts," are common around the hotels, shopping centers, and 
tourist sites. Credit card fraud is increasing. The Regional 
Security Office (RSO) has received several reports from U.S. 
Government travelers and private American citizens concerning 
credit card fraud. However, it does not appear as if the 
fraud occurs at point of sale; rather, the perpetrator(s) 
somehow gain access to a victim's card number, use the number 
to produce counterfeit cards, and make purchases in other 
countries (Thailand and Malaysia, for example). Travelers 
should pay in cash, when and where possible. If using a 
credit card in Sri Lanka, travelers should closely review 
billing statements to ensure that no unauthorized or 
suspicious purchases appear on their statements. 
 
In the first week of 2009, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) 
armed forces captured Kilinochchi, which had served as the de 
facto capital city for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 
(LTTE). In the two days following the fall of Kilinochchi, a 
LTTE suicide bomber self-detonated at the Air Force 
Headquarters in Colombo and the LTTE placed a parcel bomb in 
a popular Colombo market place. These attacks, with more 
possible in the immediate future, were likely in response to 
the GSL's achievements in the North. RSO and other Embassy 
offices anticipate that the LTTE will continue to attack 
using similar methods in other locations throughout Sri 
Lanka, focusing on "soft" targets in Colombo, the Eastern 
Province, and possibly other locations in the South. 
 
 
II. Political Violence 
 
The conflict between the LTTE, a Tamil separatist group, and 
the GSL has been ongoing for over 25 years. On January 2, 
2008, the GSL announced that it was abrogating the February 
22, 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA). The annulment led to 
more attacks on Sri Lankans in the South, especially in 
Colombo, as the GSL pressed the LTTE militarily in the North. 
GSL sources speculate that the LTTE will be less risk adverse 
in their attacks and more willing to accept civilian 
casualties to achieve objectives. According to RSO Colombo 
statistics, since the termination of the CFA there have been 
72 attacks attributed to the LTTE, resulting in 240 deaths 
and 1,211 injuries, with 109 of those deaths specifically 
occurring in Colombo. Also in 2008, the LTTE has increased 
its targeting of the country's public transportation system 
and infrastructure by launching 16 attacks on the public 
buses and bus stands (12 in Colombo), and five attacks on the 
public train systems throughout Sri Lanka. (Note - The U.S. 
Embassy travel policy current prohibits American citizen 
employees and their family members from using public trains 
and buses.) 
 
On October 8, 1997, the Secretary of State designated the 
LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This 
designation means that it is unlawful for the LTTE or any of 
its front organizations to raise funds or use banking 
institutions to transfer the funds in the United States. The 
designation also allows the U.S. to freeze LTTE assets and to 
deny the issuance of visas to any member or supporter of the 
LTTE. In accordance with the law, the LTTE filed an appeal 
challenging the designation in Federal District Court. The 
appeal eventually made it to the Supreme Court, which 
declined to hear the case. 
 
In the past, the LTTE has not specifically targeted American 
citizens or other American interests. Recent actions by the 
LTTE demonstrate that the potential for accidental 
involvement of foreigners does not deter LTTE terrorist 
actions. One such example was an attack that occurred on 
January 8, 2008, when the LTTE remotely detonated a claymore 
type device 11 miles north of Colombo, killing the Sri Lankan 
Minister of Nation Building, D.M. Dassanayake, on a heavily 
traveled road that is the primary route to the Bandaranaike 
International Airport. An attack of a similar nature occurred 
on May 16, 2008, when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber killed 
12 people and injured 95 more on Lotus Road in Colombo, near 
the Hilton Hotel. Minutes prior to this attack, a State 
Department employee on a temporary duty assignment in Colombo 
had passed through this area and narrowly escaped injury (in 
fact, the employee was the first person to report the 
incident to the RSO). 
 
The LTTE increased attacks in areas of high public 
concentrations and continues to disregard collateral damage 
to innocent bystanders, as exemplified by bombing incidents 
of market places, buses, bus stands, and the railway 
infrastructure. On April 6, 2008, during the starting 
ceremony of a well-publicized foot race, a suicide bomber 
killed senior cabinet member Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, his 
personal security body guard, and an armed forces colonel. 
Fourteen bystanders died as well, including a beloved 
Olympics coach, and 95 people were injured. 
 
The LTTE usually targets key Sri Lankan government officials, 
military/police installations, and economic targets. Favored 
techniques include truck bombs, suicide bombers and drive-by 
assassinations from motorcycles, bicycles, or three wheelers. 
Most recently on October 9, 2008, a suicide bomber in 
Anuradhapura successfully attacked and killed 27 people and 
injuring another 90 others, while specifically targeting the 
offices of a national political party. Among the deceased in 
this brutal attack were the retired Sri Lankan Major General 
Janaka Perera and his wife. The GSL has attributed the attack 
to the LTTE. 
 
Prior to the 2002 CFA, security checkpoints and proactive 
intervention by the security forces interdicted several 
suicide attacks before the bombers engaged their intended 
target. Unfortunately, interdicted suicide bombers often 
detonated their devices to avoid capture. Although many 
security checkpoints were dismantled following signing of the 
CFA, security checkpoints are reappeared in vast numbers as 
after the GSL annulled the CFA and increased military 
operations against the LTTE. 
 
In the past, several bombings were preceded by gunfire 
initiated by the government security forces or by the 
attackers themselves. In the event that a traveler hears 
gunfire and is outside, the traveler should either seek cover 
or depart the area immediately. If the traveler is inside, 
s/he should move away from any windows and attempt to find an 
interior hallway. In the majority of the bombings, flying 
glass has caused most of the civilian casualties. 
 
Radical Buddhist factions have been known to attack Christian 
churches and foment anti-Christian sentiment across Sri 
Lanka. The Embassy has received reports of numerous incidents 
that targeted Christian churches, pastors, and congregations 
in 2008. The events included harassing congregations, burning 
churches or meeting places, disrupting worship services, and 
even beatings of worshippers or clergy by mobs (often led by, 
or at the behest of, Buddhist monks). Foreigners traveling to 
Sri Lanka for work, including religious charity or volunteer 
work, must enter on the proper visa category, or they will be 
subject to detention and/or deportation. 
 
Demonstrations in the capital Colombo are common and can 
quickly become full-blown riots. The Janatha Vimukthi 
Peramuna (JVP), a Sinhalese ultra-nationalist political 
party, organized many of the recent protests. The JVP opposes 
any kind of agreement with LTTE and has withdrawn from the 
coalition government in protest over perceived appeasement of 
the LTTE. On August 14, 2008, an anti-GSL demonstration by 
3000-plus members of JVP-affiliated student groups erupted 
into violence as the police service halted demonstrators two 
blocks from a GSL installation. The U.S. Embassy is located 
across the street from the GSL facility. Riot police and 
demonstrators engaged in heated confrontations for over an 
hour as tear gas wafted over the Embassy. 
 
 
III. Post Specific Concerns 
 
A. The political climate on the island is tense and can 
change at any moment. Please exercise caution when traveling 
in the country. American citizens are strongly advised 
against travel to the Northern Province and most of the 
Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. All of the Northern Province 
remains dangerous. In Anuradhapura District of the Northern 
Province, the areas north of Medawachchiya, the A14 road, and 
the road from Medawachchiya and Horowupatna are dangerous. 
Non-official travel by U.S. Government personnel to the 
Eastern Province, other than the A6 road corridor and 
Trincomalee Town in Trincomalee District, and areas in Ampara 
District south of the A4 road and west of the Maha Oya, is 
prohibited. Ongoing fighting between government and LTTE 
forces may pose severe hazards to American citizens traveling 
in the region. Official travel by U.S. Government personnel 
to these areas in the North and East is restricted, and 
unofficial travel is prohibited. Americans should consider 
their personal security foremost before considering traveling 
or working in northern or eastern Sri Lanka. 
 
B. Transportation Accidents 
 
Sri Lankan drivers are reckless, and police rarely enforce 
traffic laws. Americans are urged to drive defensively, and, 
when walking, keeping in mind that pedestrians do not have 
the right of way. In the event of an accident, Americans 
should be aware that crowds might gather and become 
aggressive, particularly if the accident involves a bus, 
trishaw (3-wheeled vehicle) or taxi. 
 
 
IV. Police and Emergency Response 
 
Police officers are generally ill-equipped and poorly 
trained. Response time varies and can be lengthy depending on 
the type of incident. If you are the victim of a crime, in 
addition to reporting to local police, contact the U.S. 
Embassy for assistance. 
 
RSO recommends that American citizens, if harassed by the 
police, take note of the badge numbers of the officers 
involved and notify the Embassy as soon as possible 
thereafter. If detained by police, notify the Embassy's 
Consular Section or the RSO as soon as possible. In some 
cases, the police have detained Canadian and Norwegian 
citizens of Sri Lankan origin for extended periods and 
without consular notification. However, U.S. citizens of Sri 
Lankan origin have not reported encountering this problem. 
 
Police Emergency Line (94)-11-243-3333 
 
 
V. Medical Contact Information 
 
Apollo Hospital: 4531066 
Asiri Hospital: 2588267 
Nawaloka Hospital: 2544444 
 
 
VI. Travel Precautions: Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim 
 
When visiting Sri Lanka or other countries around the world, 
it is always a good idea to keep in mind the following 
general security advice: 
 
-Keep a low profile and avoid obvious displays of wealth or 
national origin. 
 
-Avoid setting consistent patterns in your activities around 
the city. 
 
-Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, credit cards, or 
important documents that you do not immediately need. 
 
-Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people. 
 
Travelers should always carry a copy of their passport rather 
then the original and leave an itinerary with someone they 
trust. American citizens should keep the phone number of the 
American Embassy available in the event assistance is 
required from the Consular Section, American Citizens 
Services. U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the 
Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and 
security in Sri Lanka. 
 
 
VII. How to Contact the Embassy 
 
--U.S. Embassy Switchboard: 249-8500 
--U.S. Embassy After hours: 249-8888 (Note: Embassy working 
hours are 8 to 5:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 to 
12 PM Fridays) 
--Regional Security Office: 249-8738 
--Regional Security Office email address: 
rsocolombo2@state.gov 
--Consular Section: 249-8839 
--U.S. Embassy Colombo Website: 
http://usembassy.state.gov/srilanka 
 
 
VIII. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Country 
Council 
 
All private sector security executives are encouraged to 
contact the Regional Security Officer for individual 
consultations and briefings, as well as the dates and times 
of future meetings of the Country Council at the American 
Embassy Colombo 
 
3. Point of contact for this message is ARSO Aaron 
LaFortune. ARSO may be reached via telephone at 
(011-94-11-249-8885) or MSG Post 1 after hours at (249-8888), 
or via DOS unclassified and classified email systems. 
 
 
Blake