Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Saturday, 4 May 2019 00:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Government yesterday sought to reassure the public of the efficiency of security measures undertaken since the Easter Sunday attacks as it urged the public to return to their normal activities.
Public Administration and Disaster Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking to reporters at Temple Trees said over 200 people – nearly half of whom are people affiliated with the two banned organisations – had been arrested in sweeping security operations that have spanned the country for nearly two weeks. The bulk of those arrested were people linked to the National Thowheed Jamath and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), he said.
The Minister insisted that the Government had swung into gear soon after the attacks and ramped up its security measures, ensuring that any threat was minimised. He also appealed for State employees to return to work as it was a crucial part of getting the country back to normalcy.
“Not even during 30 years of war did we see the country come to such a complete halt. This must not continue. Our economy is suffering and we have to work to get the country back to normal. The security forces have done their task extremely well. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and therefore it is time to trust their competency and get back to our normal lives. It is imperative that we show the world that Sri Lanka is back to normal,” Bandara said.
He made a special appeal to public officials to return to work, pointing out services had been backlogged since 21 April. He requested department heads to allow public officials to arrive late if they have credible reasons but still encourage them to be in office. He also said that strong security measures have been taken ahead of schools reopening on Monday. Most schools are expected to restart classes on Monday even though Catholic schools remain closed indefinitely.
“We have to respect what religious leaders say,” Bandara responded when questioned about Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s missive on Thursday cancelling masses for the second consecutive Sunday, “but we have not received any information from intelligence agencies of serious security threats. It is now important to restore normalcy so that we can fully deal with the repercussions of this attack and ensure economic setbacks are minimised.”
The Government on Friday began handing out compensation to those affected by the Easter Sunday attacks that left 257 people dead and about 500 people injured. Family members who lost a loved one will be given Rs. 1 million while the injured would be given between Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000 depending on the seriousness of their injuries. Some of the first cheques were handed over to the affected by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to the Zion Church in Batticaloa on Friday.
“We have released about 70% of the funds needed already, especially for those who died. The injured will have to submit doctor’s reports to get compensation,” he added.
United National Party (UNP) MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said the party was continuing its efforts to gather signatures for a petition requesting President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as the Law and Order Minister. He said they had already collected 59 signatures and planned to get the majority of Parliamentarians to sign within the next two days.
“We hope to present this document to the President on Monday,” he said.
The UNP is pressuring the President to appoint Fonseka as either the Law and Order Minister or Defence Minister, but under Sri Lanka’s Constitution, the defence portfolio cannot be held by anyone other than the Executive President. However, Bandara had been appointed as the Law and Order Minister earlier but he was removed from his position following the Constitutional crisis that erupted in October.
