A top police official yesterday warned that the people would have to be mindful of the threat posed by the LTTE as it struggled on the Vanni front against a relentless ground offensive directed at its last stronghold.

Senior DIG N. K. Illangakoon (Support Services) said that this aspect would be taken into consideration when providing security to the Dayata Kirula exhibition scheduled to be declared open at the BMICH on Independence Day.

Addressing the press at the BMICH, the former police spokesperson stressed that the LTTE would go all out to cause mayhem to offset battlefield defeats. Maximum possible security would be provided to the venue to thwart any possible attempt to sabotage Dayata Kirula, he said.

The government is expected to take extraordinary security measures in the city and its suburbs in view of a massive security parade scheduled for February 4.

As part of a cohesive security strategy, police would enforce a traffic plan with effect from February 1 to frustrate any attempt to infiltrate a high security zone covering the BMICH, he said. Vehicular traffic and civilian movements on all routes leading to the BMICH would be severely restricted and even residents would be required to obtain special passes from Kurunduwatte police as part of a security operation involving police and security forces.

Junior Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that this year’s five-day exhibition would be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Independence Day at about 4 p.m. The exhibition would be open for the public at 6 p.m. and continue till midnight on the first day. It would be opened at 9 a.m. and continue till midnight on the remaining four days.

The Minister said that the focus would be on the armed forces triumph over LTTE terrorism and the rapid development of the country. He expressed confidence the show would give a turbo boost to an accelerated development programme.

The entry of students and teachers would be free of charge, he said, adding that a ticket issued by Development Lottery, the main sponsor of the event would be priced at Rs.20. Among the prizes offered for entry tickets would be duty free vehicles and each visitor would be insured for Rs. 1 million, he said.