Sri Lanka tightens port security

Sri Lanka says it is strengthening security at its main port in Colombo after international underwriters declared the country a war risk zone and imposed insurance surcharges on ships.

The Ports Minister, Ronnie de Mel, said he hoped the extra charges would be revoked soon.

Re-insurers at Lloyds of London have raised surcharges on large foreign container vessels by up to $150,000 following an attack by Tamil Tiger rebels on Colombo airport last month.

Insurance premiums on aircraft and air fares have already been raised sharply after the attack in which the national airline lost four civilian aircraft.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service