Over 10,000 schools checked by security forces

• Detailed security plans countrywide as schools reopen
• Police deny reports of planned attacks on bridges and flyovers
• Police say no truth to reports of Zahran possibly still being alive
• Insists CCTV footage and other evidence shows he died in attack
• DNA tests to be conducted with samples from other family members

Over 10,000 police and military personnel cleared over 10,190 schools after checking them for possible security threats over the weekend as thousands of students prepared to return to their studies today. Police also rejected reports of possible attacks targeting bridges and flyovers saying they had no basis to reports circulated across social media and other means.  

Almost every school was cleared by security over the weekend and elaborate plans were put in place to provide security, including specially-designated parking zones for vehicles. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera also rejected speculative reports that Zahran Hashim, who is suspected of having masterminded the Easter Sunday attacks, may still be alive, emphasising that CCTV footage and other evidence have led investigators to conclude that Zahran died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing, and also that DNA tests were in the process of being conducted. 

“DNA samples will be cross-checked with two of Zahran’s brothers who are believed to have died in the Kalmunai clashes, his daughter who is in the Ampara hospital and his elder sister who has also been arrested. We urge the public not believe these baseless reports,” he added.   

Ahead of the scheduled re-opening of schools islandwide, members of the Armed Forces and policemen, in close co-ordination with the Education Department, school authorities, parents, prefects, old students federations and civil security committees, launched a mega clearing operation with the support of sniffing dogs and Army engineers to clear school compounds, in order to declare those locations safe for students.

The Army website stated approximately 7000 Army troops, many of them experienced in the detection of explosives and suspicious equipment, were in action around the country in all nine provinces. In addition, troops visiting schools educated teachers, parents and others on how to be vigilant, and taught emergency measures that should be adopted in disaster situations.

By noon on Sunday, 11 Division troops in Kandy cleared 34 major schools in the Kandy and Matale Districts with the assistance of Army engineers and sniffing dogs, and formally handed them over to responsible school authorities.

Meanwhile, 58 Division troops also conducted cordon-and-search operations in their respective areas and recovered twoRambo knives, two daggers, one hand-axe, twoheadphones, twowalkie-talkies, ISIS photos and several other items. Six suspects arrested from different areas were also handed over to respective police stations.

About 250 troops, including Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Sri Lanka Engineers, Sri Lanka Army Women Corps and Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police Regiments carried out this operation in 58 Division areas. Similarly, four GW troops of the 58 Division, Air Force and the Police conducted cordon-and-search operations on Saturday in the general areas of Ambepitiya - Beruwala and found threeswords, one binocular set and several other items. Six suspicious persons arrested in this connection were handed over to the Beruwala Police station for further investigation.

In the meantime, major stakeholders responsible for security in Mannar sat together and discussed ways and means of reducing tension and reinforcing blanket securityin the wake of schools reopening. MannarDistrict Secretary Mohan Ras along with the General Officer Commanding 54 Division Brigadier Senarath Bandara, senior police officers and civil activists attended this security co-ordination meeting.

On an invitation extended by the MannarDistrict Secretary, the General Officer Commanding 54 Division conducted a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation of the country. Afterwards, in a presentation,Lieutenant Colonel B. M Jayaweera educated a gathering of school principals, teachers and minor staffers who assembled there on prevailing security developments, future threat scenarios and other developments with focus on school children.

Clergies representing all religions, Commanders of 541 and 542 Brigades, Senior Officers of the Headquarters 54 Division, representatives from the Sri Lanka Navy, Mannar Superintendent of Police H.S.W Peiris, divisional secretaries, principals of schools in the Mannar administrative division, representatives from the Education Department and other officials from the District Secretariat were present at the conference.

Meanwhile, 11(volunteer) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and 10 Gajaba Regiment of 231 Brigade troops under the command of 23 Division of the Security Forces - East conducted surprise cordon-and-search operations in general areas of Kattankudy town and Kulawadi on Saturday.

During these cordon-and-search operations, troops found one micro pistol with amagazine of six rounds, one sword, one hand-axe, two Nokia Walkie-Talkies with connector chargers, one hand grenade, one T-56 ammo, two AC power supply units, three hard disks, and 10 compact disks. Batticaloa Police have taken a few suspects into custody along with the items.

Subsequently, six Gajaba Regiment troops of the 233 Brigade also conducted unannounced cordon-and-search operations in the general area of Kayankerni town on Saturday. About 1500 empty cases of T-56 ammunition were found during this search and handed over to the Valachchenai Police Station.

In addition, 24 Divisional troops and 242 Brigade troops launched surprise search operations in the general area of Wilpattu on Saturday and recovered one shotgun with five ammunition rounds, 10 swords, 15 mobile phones, five SIM cards, one pair of boots, a barrel of a shotgun, three DVD players, 39 sharp knives including 15 machetes, two memory chips, 20 CDS, 10 books on ISIS. Seven suspects were taken into custody and delivered to the police. Wilpattu Police Station took charge of those findings.

Meanwhile on Saturday, six GW, SLEME and bomb disposal troops of the Security Forces – West arrested a suspect in possession of nine passports, three berets, Army uniform belts, military uniforms, lanyards, SIM cards, one motorbike, insurance card, three-wheeler registration book, two suspicious CDs, one Shangri-La hotel project pass, 13 small knives and several other suspicious objects. The apprehended objects and the suspect were handed over to the Mattakkuliya Police Station for further investigation. 

Pix by Shehan Gunasekara