President requests foreign envoys to lift travel restrictions to Sri Lanka

President Maithripala Sirisena has requested foreign envoys in Sri Lanka to lift travel restrictions issued for their citizens as national security has been ensured in the country, the President’s Media Division (PMD) stated.

The President had briefed the diplomatic community about the progress of the operations carried out by the security forces to curb Islam terrorist activities and the steps taken by the government to bring back normalcy in the country speedily.

He has expressed his gratitude to the international community for the cooperation and assistance provided to Sri Lanka at this time of need, the PMD said.

Addressing all the Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Sri Lanka, Resident representatives of United Nations and affiliated organizations and Head of other international agencies at the Presidential Secretariat today (07), he has said that 95% of the terrorist suspects have already been arrested or accounted for and only two or three suspects are to be apprehended. Explaining the success of operations, he pointed out that the Sri Lankan intelligence experiences gained during the 30-year-old conflict and they were useful to carry out anti-terrorism measures.

President Sirisena has 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 took place between two groups of people in Negombo, he said the 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 has 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 has raised its ugly head on Easter Sunday.

President Sirisena has expressed confidence that terrorism can be curbed soon as the 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, speaking on the ongoing operations, said 73 suspects, including 9 women have been detained so far.

The President also thanked all the countries that have assured Sri Lanka that they would provide assistance, and appealed to other countries also assist and cooperate in this fight against the menace of terrorism, the President’s Media Division said.

Replying to a question raised by UNICEF Representative, President Sirisena has explained the security measures taken at schools that included deployment of police and security force personnel outside schools and Vigilant Committees of parents and old boys of schools.

The Swiss Ambassador had queried President Sirisena if there would be sufficient security for Vesak celebrations and Victory Day celebrations fall on May 18. In response, Army Commander, General Mahesh Senanayake has replied that the victory day will be celebrated low-key by the security forces and adequate security would be provided for Vesak.

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

The President said that he has already 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 had 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. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tilak Marapana, Secretary to the President, Udaya R Seneviratne and Additional Secretary Esala Weerakoon, Commanders of Security Forces were also present on this occasion.