The Embassy of Turkey in Sri Lanka issuing a statement to clarify certain news items published by the media stated that Turkey has been cooperating with Sri Lanka in her fight against Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The Embassy states that Turkey has provided the Sri Lankan authorities with the details of the FETO affiliated members, schools and businesses in Sri Lanka for the last four years.

The statement says that they have also requested the Sri Lankan Government to ban FETO affiliated schools and businesses and to deport their staff.

The complete statement issued by the Embassy of Turkey in Sri Lanka:

“The Embassy would like to clarify some issues regarding the news which has been published in the Sri Lankan media since 30th April 2019.
 
The terrorist bomb attacks which targeted Sri Lanka on 21st April 2019 showed once again the need for cooperation and collective fight against all elements of international terrorism.

Turkey and Sri Lanka have stood in solidarity and cooperation in the international arena for many decades and supported each other in their fight against separatist terrorism.

In this framework, Turkey has also been cooperating with Sri Lanka in her fight against Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

FETO is the terrorist organization that perpetrated the coup attempt on 15th July 2016 in Turkey, which killed 251 civilians and wounded thousands in one day.

FETO disguised itself as a benign education and charity movement and carried out its activities under this guise in Turkey and in other various countries for many years.

Since 2013, the ultimate aim of this terrorist organization has been discovered by Turkey and their activities were completely banned within the country.

After the brutal coup attempt on 15th July 2016, a large number of foreign countries followed Turkey and banned or closed FETO affiliated schools and businesses and deported FETO members front their countries.

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey provided the Sri Lankan authorities with the details of the FETO affiliated members, schools and businesses in Sri Lanka for the last four years and requested the Sri Lankan Government to ban FETO affiliated schools and businesses and to deport their staff.

As Turkey and Sri Lanka are still the targets of international terrorism today, as in the past, both countries will continue to stand in solidarity and cooperation.”