The Police department moved to fill a long-felt gap for the northern communities by establishing a specialised hot line through which citizens can report emergencies and crime-related information in their native tongue, Tamil.

Police Headquarters last Saturday (16) launched the number ‘107’ Emergency Call Centre, functioning 24-hours, today, through which residents of the Northern Province can lodge complaints and seek assistance in Tamil.

The 24-hour, round-the-clock centre is attached to the Office of the Senior Superintendent of Police, in Vavuniya.

“This ‘107’ Emergency Call Centre, is functioning 24-hours and is staffed by officers conversant in Tamil. Complaints and information can be submitted to this emergency hotline in Sinhala as well. This will enable the people living in the North Eastern Province and those who come to such areas for their needs to contact this emergency call centre and get the assistance of the Police in the event of a threat or danger to their lives and property. It is possible to provide accurate information to this hotline regarding criminal activities and criminals, information about narcotics, illicit liquor, and their distributors, information regarding acts of environmental pollution, road accidents, serious public nuisance, natural and man-made disasters, etc. The main objective of establishing this centre is to provide an efficient and effective service to the people of the North Eastern Province and measures will be taken to ensure confidentiality of information regarding all aspects received by this call centre,” the Police said.