Colombo traders shut down in protest against ransom demands

by admin
Mar 28, 2007
Shops in in the heart of Colombo closed as owners protested the ongoing ransom demands, abductions and death threats they face from paramilitary groups, the military and the police.
Photo TamilNet
Pettah and Fort traders in Colombo staged a shut down on 16 March to protest against ransom demands and death threats, allegedly from the paramilitary Karuna Group working in conjunction with the police.
"Members of the Karuna group, in collaboration with the police, demand ransom from us and though we have complained to the police along with phone numbers as evidence, no action has been taken," a shop owner said.
However, Kotahena police blocked traders from demonstrating in front of the police station, media reports said.
Many businessmen have paid the ransom demanded to secret bank accounts under death threats, the traders said.
The account number of a bank in Singapore was given to deposit the money, some affected traders said.
Business activities ground to a halt in the busy area of Fort and Pettah as all shops remained closed in sympathy with the protests.
Traders' Union representatives sent an appeal to Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse to help stop ransom demands.  

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