LTTE demands Rs. 1 million from lodge owner  
[Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 8.30 GMT]
  
Deputy Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickremaratne told the media this morning that the LTTE has demanded an extortion fee of Rs. 1 million from the owner of Ideal Lodge, Wellawatta, Colombo within one week. Failure to do so would result in the abduction of his child or father he was told, according to a complaint he made at the Wellawatta Police Station on Tuesday (21) evening.
  
It is the same lodge owner who had complained about arms and ammunition found in the lodge premises recently. After recovering the arms and ammunition the Police arrested seven persons, of whom three had left the lodge the day before the discovery of these goods. According to the DIG these three persons had told the police they were innocent and had no knowledge about the goods seized. Incidentally, they have been among those taken to Vavuniya and later brought back by the Police few months back during a security operation to clear lodges.
  
The DIG also surmised that he LTTE might be trying to intimidate the lodge owner for giving information to the Police and thwarting their planned terrorist attacks in Colombo.
 

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Last Updated Date: August 22, 2007 - 8.30 GMT