President briefs diplomatic community on operations to curb terrorism, bring back normalcy

President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday briefed the diplomatic community about the progress of the operations carried out by the security forces to curb Islamist terrorist activities, and the steps taken by the Government to speedily bring back normalcy to the country. He thanked the international community for the cooperation and assistance provided to Sri Lanka at this time of need.

Addressing all the Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Sri Lanka, resident representatives of the United Nations and affiliated organisations, and heads of other international agencies at the Presidential Secretariat, he said that 95% of the terrorist suspects have been already arrested or accounted for, and only two or three suspects are to be apprehended. Explaining the success of the operations, he pointed out the Sri Lankan intelligence experiences gained during the 30-year-old conflict and how they were useful to carry out anti-terrorism measures.

President Sirisena said that he was confident that with the current successful operation, and with the assistance of foreign expertise on intelligence, the threat of terrorism could be curbed soon. Referring to the clashes which took place between two groups of people in Negombo, he said that social media was blocked for a day because of some attempts made by interested parties to instigate communal clashes, but the ban was lifted yesterday.

He thanked the foreign leaders and their representatives for sharing Sri Lanka’s sorrow and grief at this time of catastrophe. The envoys of foreign countries and the representatives of international agencies were unanimous in their expression of fullest support to President Sirisena to curb terrorism in Sri Lanka, which raised its ugly head on Easter Sunday.

President Sirisena expressed confidence that the terrorism can be curbed soon, as law enforcement agencies have taken swift measures to identify and arrest the criminals responsible for acts of terrorism and aiding and abetting such acts.

Commander of Defence Services Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who made a PowerPoint presentation on the operations, said 73 suspects, including 9 women, have been detained. The President thanked all the countries that have assured Sri Lanka that they would provide assistance, and appealed to other countries to also assist and cooperate in the fight against the menace of terrorism.

Replying to an issue raised by UNICEF Representative Tim Sutton, President Sirisena explained the security measures taken at schools, which included deployment of police and security force personnel outside schools, and Vigilant Committees of parents and Old Boys of schools. Swiss Ambassador Hanspeter Mock wanted to know if there would be sufficient security for Vesak celebrations and Victory Day celebrations fall on 18 May, and Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake replied that the victory day will be celebrated at a low-key level by the security forces, and adequate security would be provided for Vesak.

President Sirisena explained to the foreign envoys about the presence of 1600 foreign refugees in the country, and the difficulties in looking after them under the present circumstances. United Nations Representative Hanaa Singer assured that she would attempt to find an acceptable solution as early as possible.

The President said that he has received the second interim report of the Malalgoda Committee appointed to look into the terrorist attacks and events related to them, and announced that he would submit it to the Attorney General for necessary action.

The envoys who expressed their views included the representatives of UNICEF, United Nations, and European Union, and Ambassadors of Switzerland, Thailand and Norway.

Commander of Defence Services Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne briefed the envoys about the methodology of explosions, the identification of culprits, and the arrests taken place. He also mentioned the strong possibility of links with international terrorists. Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana, Secretary to the President Udaya R Seneviratne, Additional Secretary Esala Weerakoon, and the Commanders of Security 

Forces were also present on this occasion.