Nearly 15 000 Tri Forces troops deployed for security
May 04, 2019Three arrested with more than 600 letters containing derogatory content
Policemen and civilian informants rewarded
Island wide security has been tightened with Tri Force having deployed nearly 15,000 personnel to ensure public security during the past 48 hours. The Army alone has deployed about 10 000 personnel for these operations. Necessary measures for public security have already been taken considering social activities in the coming weeks and accordingly security will be further beefed up, said so the Military Spokesman and Director of the Media Centre, Brigadier Sumith Atapattu during a press briefing held at the Media Centre in Kollupitiya on Friday evening (03 May).
During the past 24 hours the Army had carried out extensive search operations in many parts of the country including Vavuniya, Puttalam, Katugastota, Akurana, Gampola, Peradeniya, Nawalapitiya, Ragama, Aluthgama, Kalutara, Weligama, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Monaragala. During these operations 120 suspects were taken into custody and items including some detonators, explosives, warlike equipment, ammunition etc. were also recovered.
Special security arrangements have been made to provide security to schools, places of religious worship, tourist hotels ets. We do not agree with the news report that stated 20 explosives laden vehicles entering the North. Strict security measures have been put on effect around the country and there is no need for panic, the Military Spokesman further said.
Speaking at the press briefing, Police Spokesman, SP Ruwan Gunasekara, revealed that acting on information received Police had arrested three individuals with 639 letter inciting enmity among the races and anti-government subversive words and including the President's name. The suspects were arrested at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange, yesterday (02). The three suspects named Karandeniye Gedara Sampath Kumara, Wijeratne Mudiyanselage Danusha Priyadarshana and Patabendige Kavindu Takshila Weerasena were handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division for further investigations.
Police, yesterday found a stock of remnants of war including 993 artillery shells including 409 live shells and 584 empty shells at a steel factory storage in Ja Ela. The Army and Air Force had assisted the Police during this operation. Two officials of the factory have also been taken into custody.
Measures have been taken to provide maximum security to school which are scheduled to reopen next week. Necessary instructions in this regard have been issued to all Police stations by the Police Headquarters. The public is requested not to park any vehicles near schools for security reasons. Such vehicles would be removed to safe locations and subjected to severe security checking.
The public is also requested to rely only on authenticated information issued by relevant authorities including the Government Information Department, Media Centre and the Tri Forces Media Spokespersons and not to trust false information shared by means of social media that might cause social panic. The spreading of rumours and false information is a punishable offence.
The Police Headquarter, today decided to promote the Traffic Police Constable, whose quick action resulted in the revelation of important information of the terror group during the Santhamaruthu incident, as a Sergeant and also grant him a reward of Rs. 500,000.00. The other two Police personnel, a Sargent and PC who had assisted the Traffic PC will also be granted with IG's commendation letters and a reward of Rs. 500,000.00 each.
In addition, the Police HQ has also decided to grant the three Muslim individuals who had initially provided the information to the Police with a reward of Rs. 1 000,000.00 each.
Sri Lanka Navy had handed over to the Police a group 12 Pakistani citizens arrested during a search operation in Ja Ela. Only two of the foreigners were found with valid visas. 22 PVC tubes packed with explosives were found in the Kalmunai area during another search operation carried out during the last 24 hours.
The Air Force, during search operations had arrested 30 individuals in Negombo and another two individuals in Mundalama. They have since been handed over to the Police for further investigations.
Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne and Navy Spokesman Lieutenant Commander Isuru Sooriyabandara were also present at the press briefing.