Special security briefing by President to be held on Friday

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena

Dayasiri calls for systematic security checks on Muslim villages

By Chathuri Dissanayake

President Maithripala Sirisena has summoned a special security briefing on Friday, to discuss the current situation and action to be taken by the Government.

The briefing to be held in participation with representatives from all parties, security experts, priests, and defence journalists, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said, speaking at a media briefing held at the Party head office.

“Those who are interested and have expertise in the area should be aware of what is happening. We should be able to take in the knowledge of experts,” he said.

“The President had a meeting last week with all party representatives, where all of the recommendations were given by the SLFP, and the Ministries are set to give feedback on the recommendations and introduction of new laws,” he said.

Jayasekara, however found fault with the inspections carried out by the security forces at present in Muslim communities, which he claimed has given rise to uneasiness among Sinhala communities in surrounding villages.

“The Sinhala community is hurt that there is no systematic inspection of the Muslim community, we have informed the President as well … We have no intention of harassing the Muslim community, but the checks should be carried out so that the Sinhala community is sure that the villages are not harbouring any terrorists,” he said.

However, he was not clear about where the problem lies in terms of why ‘systematic security checks’ have not been carried out. Jayasekara claimed that the issue has been discussed with the President, who is also the Defence Minister, and also has the Law and Order Ministry under his preview.