08-10-2004, 04:10 PM
Tuesday, 10 August , 2004, 17:55
Colombo: The US embassy in Sri Lanka shut down indefinitely and ordered its staff to leave the compound following a security threat, diplomats said.
The embassy declined to give details, but a spokesman said the sudden closure of the embassy compound as well as its USAID and USIS operations at a nearby building was prompted by "security reasons."
"The embassy is closed for security and administrative reasons," embassy spokesman Chris Long said.
The USAID and USIS are located just next to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
Long could not say what exactly the threat was or when the embassy planned to reopen for issuing visas and other consular services.
"We are currently evaluating the situation, we can say when we will reopen," Long said.
Sources, however, said two upper floors of the embassy, located within a high-security zone of the capital, were closed initially following the receipt of a letter which contained some powder.
Fearing an anthrax-type attack, the embassy shut its air conditioning system and ordered staff to leave, they added.
sify online
Colombo: The US embassy in Sri Lanka shut down indefinitely and ordered its staff to leave the compound following a security threat, diplomats said.
The embassy declined to give details, but a spokesman said the sudden closure of the embassy compound as well as its USAID and USIS operations at a nearby building was prompted by "security reasons."
"The embassy is closed for security and administrative reasons," embassy spokesman Chris Long said.
The USAID and USIS are located just next to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
Long could not say what exactly the threat was or when the embassy planned to reopen for issuing visas and other consular services.
"We are currently evaluating the situation, we can say when we will reopen," Long said.
Sources, however, said two upper floors of the embassy, located within a high-security zone of the capital, were closed initially following the receipt of a letter which contained some powder.
Fearing an anthrax-type attack, the embassy shut its air conditioning system and ordered staff to leave, they added.
sify online