A directive sent out by Police Headquarters to all police divisions said that there were “intelligence reports” that the poster campaign was aimed at “provoking the public” to carry out acts against the government. Police have been asked to deploy mobile patrols, motorcycle squads and foot patrols to arrest those pasting anti-government posters.

Sri Lanka did not cover itself with political glory during the UN summit last week. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's reception at the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria did not attract any prominent world leaders -- with the exception of Cyprus, Fiji and the Maldives raising serious doubts over the efficacy of the Ministry of External Affairs.