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