Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

BIA on alert

23 March 2016 01:02 pm - 21     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Security at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) had been increased by 200 per cent to prevent a possible terrorist attack, Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today.

Addressing a press briefing, he assured that security that was presently in place at the airport was beefed up following the terror attacks that occurred at the Brussels Airport in Belgium on Tuesday.

“According to intelligence sources, phone calls had been made to several institutions including the airport. Relevant investigations were continuing to ascertain the veracity of these calls as well as where they originated from,” he said.

It should be mentioned that on December 29 last year President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the intelligence authorities to tighten the security at the airport and other locations considered to be National landmarks which could be targets for terrorist attacks.

“Discussions were held with the participation of the Air Force, Airport Services, SriLankan Airlines, Immigration and Emigration Department, Civil Air Services Authority and the Sri Lanka Customs about what precautionary methods could be taken to prevent terror attacks,” Mr. Hettiarachchi said.

“Now the precautionary methods are being implemented. The Defense Ministry reviews the progress of the security measures at the airport and other locations considered to be probable targets so that any shortcomings, if any exist, could be swiftly dealt with,” he said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the Airport Duty Manager said safety precautions were in place to prevent a terror attack on the airport.

There is extra vigilance being paid to those who enter the country and those in transit, the Defense Secretary said.(Chaturanga Pradeep)

Video by Indika Sri Aravinda


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 21

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Nelum Fernando Wednesday, 23 March 2016 03:39 PM

    Why tighten security now? According Yahapalanaya, we have no enemies. Right?

    dada Sunday, 22 January 2017 07:43 AM

    First we have check In the name of security this government have given to any private company that have a any politician own the share Cheers

    Yuri Thursday, 24 March 2016 02:38 PM

    Will they ever accept ?

    Ramola Thursday, 24 March 2016 08:42 AM

    USA and its allies gave birth to these terror groups. Keep them at arms length and SL will be better off.

    select Thursday, 24 March 2016 04:11 AM

    Christopher dot talk stupid search American NGO s and Israeli NGO s dont u know that they are the ISIS via DM iOS App

    Shan Thursday, 24 March 2016 03:53 AM

    This has to be a joke. They will drop the guns meet in cafeteria for Kiribati. Where was security when LTTE raided the place via DM iOS App

    Lanka Wednesday, 23 March 2016 09:58 PM

    Is it about "who is happy, and who is not"? Strange S Lankan mentality. Are we concerned about "innocent human lives"....I hope so.....

    mike Wednesday, 23 March 2016 09:53 PM

    very well said!

    Christopher Wednesday, 23 March 2016 08:27 PM

    Its time to search all mosques in Sri Lanka before anything serious happens there as well. IS is all over Colombo.

    Upul Wednesday, 23 March 2016 06:20 PM

    In most of the airports the security check point is when you go into the boarding area. At BIA nobody can go inside the airport without being security clearance done at the entrance. This way it is much safer in BIA.

    CitizenPerera Wednesday, 23 March 2016 04:06 PM

    Govt. that can't protect a prison bus from the underworld is to strengthen security at the airport... Joke of the century!

    Ravi Wednesday, 23 March 2016 01:04 PM

    joking

    mike Wednesday, 23 March 2016 03:24 PM

    BBS is no different to TNA or SLMC. all these parties are racist. I doubt BBS will be happy but certainly LTTE supporters like you

    onlooker Wednesday, 23 March 2016 03:23 PM

    Get Gotabhaya to help.

    suresh Wednesday, 23 March 2016 03:02 PM

    They may hold up a board waiting for a Mr. Isis.

    REALPATRIAT Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:46 PM

    EXCELLENT PRECAUTIONARY STEPS. via DM Android App

    Murugan G Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:38 PM

    If there is an attack only people who will be happy is BBS

    usaguy Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:38 PM

    BIA is one of the worst when it comes to security...after the war ended...we have to tighten all the screws. via DM Android App

    Sri Lankan Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:31 PM

    Well the amount of sabotage taking places at key points... Better safe than be sorry .....

    zamaan Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:00 PM

    This is a jok. under my3 yp the are no enemies to sri Lanka. via DM Android App

    suda Wednesday, 23 March 2016 01:10 PM

    Tighten the security. We do not need exploration attack in SL again. We are struggling a lot now. If this thing happens it will worst.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H