Leaked: Security Deployment Plans To Obstruct July 9 Protests  

* 07 water canons, 09 riot police units, roadblocks manned by tri-forces and STF 

* Police surveillance teams and camera units to film demonstrations  

* Intelligence via SIS, special police WhatsApp Group RoadBlock/Col.Central  

JULY 10, 2022

Extensive security plans and protocols to protect President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the wake of massive public demonstrations planned for Saturday morning in the capital Colombo have been leaked, revealing sinister orders to police filming units and surveillance teams to record and monitor leaders of the aragalaya and the intelligence networks that will be operational in the area during the protest.  

The orders dated July 7, 2022 have gone out to all DIGS, SSPs, SPs and ASPs and police divisions, signed by SSP Nishantha Chandrasekera (Colombo Central Division).  

 SSP Chandrasekera’s preamble states that the main objective of the deployment of a massive security contingent and riot control operations is “to ensure the safety of His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to take necessary precautions in this regard.” 

Secondary to this goal is the police intention to prevent damage to government buildings and public property.    

The leaked document also makes clear that the Police Department fully anticipated the issuing of court orders that would have enabled security forces to set up at least six new roadblocks that would prevent the entry of demonstrators into the entire Colombo Fort area. However, on Thursday (7) the Fort Magistrate refused to issue orders preventing the protests.  

Chandrasekera’s deployment plan reveals that film crews attached to the Crime Record Division will be mobilised at Saturday’s demonstration. The film crews will be assisted by special surveillance teams deployed around the agitation sites, the document shows.  

SSP Chandrasekera orders all of his officers to stay tuned into a Whatsapp Group titled RoadBlock/Col.Central for intelligence reports. He also provides a list of telephone numbers for various intelligence commanders who will be in charge of intel delivery to police on duty in the Fort area on Saturday (9).  

The leaked police documents identify “potential threats” as follows:  

1. Protests, rallies and disruptive activities that could cause inconvenience to the President and the Government.  

2. Rallies and demonstrations held to fulfill narrow political agendas.  

3. Activities by extremist groups 

4. Illegal activities by protestors at the protest site  

5. Arson attacks, damage to property  

6. Obstruction of roads and pavements  

7. Obstruction of police personnel on duty  

8. Provocative actions during peaceful protest 

To serve our readers and for the safety of those who will participate in the protests on Saturday, Colombo Telegraph translated the salient sections of SSP Chandrasekera’s deployment orders. That translation follows below.  

The original in the Sinhala language is also available in PDF here. 

 7 July 2022 

To: All Senior Superintendents of Police, Superintendents of police and Assistant Superintendents of Police, All Officers in Charge of police stations, regional police divisions 

Operational orders concerning 8-9 July protests 

PREAMBLE  

Social media communications reveal that a massive demonstration calling efor the removal of His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been organised by individuals including apolitical protestors at Galle Face, numerous organisations and political parties, trade unions, civil society organisations, university students, lawyers and religious leaders of all faiths. The demonstration will seek to obstruct the access to the President’s House.  

Therefore a special security plan is in place in the Colombo Fort area.  

Senior security officials have instructed that human and material police resources are placed in areas where apolitical activists are expected to congregate in order to prevent clashes and unexpected developments.  

Objective of our deployment 

The main objective is to ensure the safety of His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to take necessary precautions in this regard.  

In addition, it seeks to prevent the unauthorised entry of protestors into government offices, the obstruction of work inside government offices and damage to public property etc, illegal activities and obstruction of police personnel on duty and disturbance the peace. 

Potential threats  

Read More