Heightened security for the festive season

The Armed Forces and Police will maintain heightened vigilance during the Christmas season to ensure public safety and security.

“Armed forces and Police continue to maintain heightened vigilance during the festive season,” outgoing Military Spokesman Maj. Gen. Sumith Atapattu told the Daily FT.  The armed forces were empowered to assist the Police and maintain public order through a special Gazette issued by the President last November. Atapattu did not comment on any specific arrangements, except to say that the security apparatus was working round the clock to secure national security.  

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued the special order in accordance with the powers vested upon the President by Section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), empowering the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force to maintain public order in the 25 districts of the country and the territorial water adjacent to the coastal districts.