The LTTE bombings here are just plain scary. On January 31, 1996, a blast took nearly 100 lives and wounded 1,400 others. On July 24, 1996, the Tigers blew up a train leaving Dehiwala, a southern suburb of Colombo. This detonation killed 57 people and injured 500 others. Another bomb blasted through the World Trade Center in 1997. However, other than the blood splattered by the LTTE, the level of criminal activity in Colombo is moderate in relation to other cities of the world. Violent crimes are on the rise, with a 20-percent increase in murders and rape reported in Colombo for 1998. The Sri Lankan police, though limited in resources, generally make every effort to provide assistance to foreign visitors. This is particularly so within the confines of Colombo. Police coverage tends to be less reliable outside of the city. Important police emergency telephone numbers for the greater Colombo area:
Police Emergency (24 hours daily)
Tel.: 433333
Cinnamon Gardens Police Station
Tel.: 693377
Colpetty Police Station
Tel.: 20131
Bambalapitiya Police Station
Tel.: 593208
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