The Special Report

17th December 2000

Bank busters

By Tania Fernando

'Money or your life' seems to be the method adopted by robbers who have stormed many banks in the city recently. With the rise in crimes during the past few months, a trend has been set where banks are being targeted regularly.

In December alone there have been three major bank robberies with two people being killed in the process.

The sudden increase in bank robberies has prompted most banks to adopt fool-proof security systems.

Since most banks have unarmed security guards, the robbers find it easier to gain access, as they appear to have easy access to weapons.

But even banks that have armed security guards are helpless as the robbers adopt different methods each time, indicating organised groups were involved in the bust ups.

"They sometimes enter on the pretext of opening an account and keep the manager busy while they scrutinize the area and when they feel the time is right they strike and catch the staff unawares," a senior Bank Manager who did not wish to be named said.

Another popular method was to wear masks so they could not be identified, he said.

The spate of robberies have set off alarm bells among those providing security to state and private banks compelling them to seek Police advice on how to improve their security systems.

Accordingly senior Bank staff and security personnel were briefed about improving security.

Many banks contacted by The Sunday Times said they had adopted new methods to prevent robberies of this nature taking place. Various alarms including smoke alarms have been installed they said.

Jagath Jayawardena, a former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) who serves as the Security Co-ordinator of Hatton National Bank said in view of the recent increase of robberies they have had meetings with security firms who provide security to their banks.

"We use the services of15 to 16 security firms to provide security to all the branches of Hatton National Bank. We recently held a meeting with all the security firms and bank staff who were briefed on how to act in a case of emergency," he said.

Meanwhile DIG Crimes H. M. G. B. Kotokadeniya said they held a meeting with all banks and told them that they should improve their security and be alert at all times.

While admitting it was partly the responsibility of the police to provide security to banks, he said it was not always possible due to the lack of manpower.

"Since banks are dispersed all over the city, it is difficult to provide comprehensive security. The banks should adopt more sophisticated security methods and more training should be given to the staff", DIG Kotakadeniya said.

The Security Manager of another private bank, with islandwide branches said their staff have been given additional training and new electronic systems have been installed amounting to about Rs. 150,000, at each branch in view of the spate of robberies.

He said the security personnel engaged by them do not carry fire- arms but are armed with batons since if there is a shoot-out they are concerned about customers getting hurt.

He said the most common practice adopted by the banks to prevent break-ins was the use of security personnel to check the bags of customers entering the premises. "We are doing what we can to protect the money and the customer too. There are some who do not like their bags being checked, but they fail to understand that it's being done for their own security

Customers who spoke to The Sunday Times said with the recent rise in crimes it was necessary for banks to take precautions, even at the inconvenience of the customers. "After-all it is our money that they are protecting and we must allow the security personnel to do their duty ," one customer said.

With the rise in bank heists, security firms too have stepped up the training given to their staff.

"When a person is recruited by our security firm they are given one weeks intensive training and then once every month," Mahesh Perera, Admin. Assistant of Kay Jay Security said.

With the economic situation getting worse by the day, and the cost of living soaring sky high, it seems unlikely that hold-ups, bank heists, and robberies would decrease. According to Sociologists, the rise in the cost of living and the growing gap between the rich and the poor are the main reasons for the rise in crimes including bank robberies.

With the already over-taxed police force being saddled with the security problems, providing protection to the banks is likely to be neglected.

Shots in the air and away with the money

By Chris Kamalendran

A lone gunman's attempt to snatch Rs. three million from a postal peon carrying money for pension payments from the People's Bank at Nittambuwa partially failed with the robber getting away with Rs. 150,000. The attempt failed not because of the security, but because the thief had panicked and dropped the bag which carried the notes of higher denominations. The incident took place about 100 yards away from the People's Bank branch while the additional security provided to the bank were also in the vicinity. The gunman had opened fire into the air and the postal peon carrying the money in two bags had dropped them giving the chance for the thief to runaway with the money. On hearing gun shots security guards had rushed to scene but were helpless as the robber was armed with a shotgun. "I could not open fire as there was a crowd. There were many old people who had come to draw their pensions,"Upali Senarath Security Inspector of the People's Bank Gampaha Regional Branch told The Sunday Times. "We were placed on guard around the bank as the number of bank robberies had increased in the recent past. We were inside a vehicle outside the bank. Suddenly we heard a gunshot and rushed towards the bank. I saw the robber clad in a pair of trousers running with a bag of money in one hand and a T- 56 in the other," he said. According to eyewitnesses the robber had dropped one bag.Ironically the people in the vicinity had crowded round the bag that had fallen and were trying to distribute the money among them. "We were only able to prevent the onlookers taking the money away," Upali said. According to eyewitnesses the robber had dropped the money because the bags were heavy and he also had to hold on to the weapon. In most bank break-ins the robbers were armed with automatics and pistols while bank guards are equipped only with shotguns, police said.

He paid with his life

What goes on in the minds of those who want to steal money will be never known. Does the fact that they will be causing disruption to someone's life ever cross their mind?

Chandrani Mendis was in a state shock over the sudden death of her husband Upali Mendis , a bank manager. Upali (46) of the People's Bank Branch in Padalangala in Embilipitya was shot dead at point blank range while at work just because the safe he was responsible for would not open.

Upali was based in Padalangala and used to travel to Colombo every Friday evening and get back on Monday morning. December 8 was like any other day for Chandrani, but around 3.30 pm her life suddenly changed.

She said she had received a call saying that her husband was in a serious condition, but she had thought that someone was playing a practical joke on her, so she called a friend of her husband's to get clarification. "The friend said that he was in a serious condition and I should rush to him at once," she said. Some friends had tried to talk her out of going to Padalangala. But since she was not aware of the true incident she had decided to go.

Chandrani said that another employee had said that Upali had even offered his ring to the robbers to try and save his life and the money, but they were after more and he had to pay with his life. Their two sons aged 15 and 8 years old have been left without a chance of saying good-bye to their father.

Inside the glass house

Editorial/ Opinion Contents