US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1374

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001374 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN JAFFNA 
 
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SUMMARY: 
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The shooting death of a local barber by the Sri Lankan Army 
(SLA) quickly deteriorated into a mob at the scene. The 
Jaffna police superintendent (SP) entered the crowd to 
investigate and disappeared from sight.  Security forces 
later dispersed the crowd with tear gas.  The 
superintendent's body was found  some hours later stripped, 
beaten and stabbed away from the scene.  A general curfew has 
been declared until 0500 Saturday August 6.  Police and SLA 
personnel have increased the number of check points and 
patrols. There is no direct indication of involvement by the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).  Three Tamil youths 
have been detained. END SUMMARY. 
 
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Man Walks Into a Barbershop... 
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1.  Two or three SLA soldiers entered a barbershop at Inuvil 
junction in Jaffna.  One barber is killed and another 
reported injured.  Stories include an accidental shooting, or 
a dispute between a soldier and a barber, or a dispute 
between a soldier and an officer getting his hair cut with 
the barber caught in the line of fire.  After the shooting 
the soldiers left the scene and a crowd formed.  As the crowd 
grew, the SP arrived to investigate.  The conditions 
surrounding his disappearance are unclear.  After the crowd 
was disbursed with tear gas the SP was not to be found. 
Several hours later his body was found two kilometers from 
the crime scene, stripped of his uniform, stabbed and beaten. 
 The SP had been well liked in the community and was regarded 
as even handed.  A genral curfew remains in effect until 
Saturday morning and there are increased checkpoints on area 
roads. Three Tamil youths were detained and there are reports 
that they have LTTE links. 
 
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COMMENT 
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2.  This incident illustrates the volatility of a population 
frustrated by a lack of progress in the peace process and 
feeling ignored by the central government regarding tsunami 
relief and reconstruction in general. This does not help. 
Although the degree of LTTE involvement (if any) is unclear, 
they are likely to be blamed and this will fuel the fires of 
mutual distrust.  END COMMENT 
BECKER