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Eight bodies of foreign tourists caught in disaster released

by Sarath Malalasekera

The Police Disaster Management Team Control Centre (DMTCC) set up on the direction of IGP Chandra Fernando yesterday released eight bodies of foreign tourists and a body of an other foreign national after they were identified at the Colombo National Hospital, DIG Jayantha Wickremaratne who is In-Charge of the Control Centre said.

Crimes Director Senior SP Alfred Wijewardena is in consultation with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the respective embassies to identify the bodies of foreign nationals killed following Sunday's tidal wave.

Seventeen bodies of tourists are now lying at the Colombo National Hospital Morgue and four bodies at the Kohuwela Hospital.

All foreign nationals who died in the tidal waves will be photographed and will be fingerprinted before releasing the bodies.

This special Control Centre will be in addition to the IGP's Command - Police Information Division - at Mirihana, Wickremaratne said.

Deputy Inspectors General of Police in all divisions had been informed by the IGP to co-ordinate with the Special Control Committee to expedite matters relating to the victims issues.

The IGP also had appointed as liaison officers, SSPs of Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota to co-ordinate with the Control Centre at the Police Headquarters, Colombo. A Special Unit has also been set up headed by Crimes Director Alfred Wijewardena to assist the relatives of the victims to remove their bodies after obtaining the death certificates.

This Unit will monitor the progress of the issuing of the death certificates to the respective relatives and welfare of the victim's families.

DIG Wickremaratne appealed to the public to contact Telephone Numbers - 2433671 or 2421111 Ext. 141 and the Fax No. 2433671 for information regarding the people affected during the tidal waves on Sunday.

E-mail dmtc@police.lk

The Police Headquarters Control Centre operates round the clock.

Senior SPs Ceaser Ranaweera, Pujith Jayasundera and Director Sports L.A. Perera will assist DIG Wickremaratne.

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