The Ministry of Defence said yesterday that the Government has taken all necessary security measures to ensure the security of the country and the safety of the people since the 21 April suicide bombings on churches and hotels that killed 258 people.

Issuing a statement, the Defence Ministry said special islandwide precautionary measures have been taken by the Tri-Forces, police and intelligence services together with other State security agencies to provide protection to places of worship, public places, tourist locations, State facilities, airports, ports, hospitals, etc.

The Ministry further said the security arrangements have resulted in most suspects connected with the Easter bombings being arrested and their safehouses raided.

The security forces and police will not in any way compromise on public security of all Sri Lankans as well as any foreign national visiting the country, the Ministry assured.

“Even though the travel advisory issued by the US Embassy, which has increased its travel warnings as a routine measure asking its citizens to take extra care during their travel in the holiday season, the security of the country remains to be safe and secure,” the statement further said.

The Defence Secretary General (Retd.) SHS Kottegoda has said that as a country that defeated one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations, the security forces of Sri Lanka which was in the forefront of that war have and will always take any required action to ensure the maximum safety of all people within this country at all times. Reassuring on the security of the country, he said that anyone who wishes to visit this country may do so without fear.

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