P 191222Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8925
INFO AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001046 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/RD/SCA, DS/DSS/ITA, CA AND SA/INS 
NEW DELHI FOR LEGAL ATTACHE OFFICE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER
SUBJECT: EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 11/19/2008 REGARDING 
NOVEMBER 27, LTTE "HEROES DAY" 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency 
Action Committee (EAC) meeting on November 19, 2008.  The EAC 
discussed post's security posture and security for the 
official and expatriate American communities vis-a-vis 
possible Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist 
attacks in conjunction with the LTTE's November 27 "Heroes 
Day."  The EAC discussed threat information, travel (official 
and personal) during the period November 20-28, and 
notifications to the expatriate American citizen (Amcit) 
community.  The EAC recommended that Mission personnel 
consider deferring non-essential travel during the period; 
that personnel consult the RSO prior to any travel outside 
Colombo; that Embassy officers carefully review their 
schedules for this period; and that the Consular Section 
issue a Warden message.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On November 19, 2008, AmEmbassy Colombo convened an 
EAC meeting.  Present for the meeting were the Ambassador, 
Deputy Chief of Mission, Regional Security Officer, Consular 
Officer, Economic Officer, International Broadcasting Bureau 
Station Chief, Public Affairs Officer, Defense Attache, 
Political Officer, Health Unit Officer, Department of 
Homeland Security representative, USAID Director, Regional 
Affairs Officer, Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander, 
Management Officer, and Community Liaison Officer.  The 
agenda items for the meeting were: 
 
-- Possible increased threat of LTTE terrorist activity 
during the period leading up to, and immediately after, the 
LTTE's Heroes Day on November 27 
 
-- Security for the official and expatriate Amcit communities 
in light of the potential increased threat 
 
-- Official and personal travel during the period from 
November 20-28 
 
-- Notifications to the expatriate Amcit community 
 
¶3. (SBU) The EAC discussed the potential for increased 
terrorist activity in the run up to the LTTE's November 27 
"Heroes Day," when LTTE leader Prabhakaran issues his annual 
statement to his followers.  Following past practice, the GSL 
is warning of possible terrorist attacks in Colombo and other 
areas of Sri Lanka.  However, unlike recent years, the GSL's 
recent military successes in the Northern Province have 
pushed the LTTE into an ever-shrinking area.  With their 
backs against the wall, the LTTE might try to conduct 
large-scale attacks in other areas of the country to boost 
morale, rally support, and demonstrate that the LTTE is still 
a viable fighting force.  Members of the EAC had not received 
specific threat information from their security and 
intelligence contacts.  The UN has instructed its staff to 
restrict non-essential travel during this period. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The EAC concurred that it is reasonable to believe 
that the LTTE may attempt to carry out reprisal attacks 
during the period of November 20-28.  Therefore, while the 
LTTE has not and most likely will not specifically target 
American citizens or facilities, the overall threat to Amcits 
is generally elevated during this period.  Consequently, the 
EAC recommended the following measures: 
 
-- Mission employees should consider deferring non-essential 
travel through November 28 and consult the RSO on a 
case-by-case basis prior to traveling. 
 
-- USG personnel should closely scrutinize their schedules 
and planned events during this period so as to minimize, when 
possible, contact with and proximity to high-profile LTTE 
targets. 
 
-- The Consular Section should issue a Warden message, 
reminding the expatriate American community of the 
possibility of attacks during this period and recommending 
appropriate security measures. 
 
¶5. (U) Post will continue to monitor the security environment 
and will report further developments, if any, septel.  POC 
for this message is RSO Michael V. Perkins, who may be 
contacted at 94.11.249.8885, 94.11.249.8888 (MSG Post 1 after 
regular business hours), or via the classified and 
unclassified email systems. 
Blake