Hubbub for Sri Lanka’s financial hub

Sri Lanka's main financial centre near the president's official residence was declared a high security zone as the opposition today led an unprecedented march to the capital demanding early elections.









Sri Lanka's main financial centre near the president's official residence was declared a high security zone as the opposition today led an unprecedented march to the capital demanding early elections. President Chandrika Kumaratunga issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring the immediate neighbourhood of the President's House a "high Security Zone" for a period of one year from Friday.

All offices and businesses within the World Trade Centre, employees of the Central Bank, Bank of Ceylon headquarters and Ceylinco and guests and staff of the Colombo Hilton, Galadari and Ceylon Continental are among those affected.

Under the Prevention of Terrorism (temporary provisions) Act promulgated by the president, heavy vehicles cannot get into the high security zone without prior permission from the local security authorities.

Every employer, private or state, is required to furnish details of all occupants in buildings within the zone and any change must be notified within 24 hours.