Turkey confident SL will continue fight against FETO

Turkish Ambassador in Sri Lanka, R. Demet Şekercioğlu on Tuesday said they were confident that Sri Lanka, more than any other country, would understand and continue to support Turkey’s efforts in fighting against the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

In a statement on the occasion of the fourth year commemoration of the thwarted coup attempt, Ambassador  Şekercioğlu said the coup attempt orchestrated by the FETO was thwarted on July 15, 2016 in Turkey.

“As one of the bloodiest terror attacks in our history, this heinous coup attempt claimed 251 innocent lives and wounded thousands, resulting in severe trauma for our nation,” she said. 

She said the successful investigations conducted by the Turkish authorities to this end paved the path to significantly limit the powers and operations of FETO within the Turkish soil.

“However, the organization has undergone a strategic transformation in order to survive by making use of its structure abroad. Actually, FETO had established itself in around 160 countries including Sri Lanka, through schools, businesses, NGOs and media houses.

The organization which has lost its backbone in Turkey, has been trying to maintain its presence in these countries. The modus operandi is the same all around the world. As FETO aims to infiltrate and enlarge its global economic and political influence, it constitutes a direct security threat for any country where they operate. And we, as the country which has most suffered from the malicious activities of FETO, are sparing no effort to warn our friends against the danger of this demonic organization.  

FETO was also present in Sri Lanka through an affiliated school and some business organizations. Since the very first day, we have informed all relevant Sri Lankan authorities on the ways this terrorist organization is operating and provided all details of FETO affiliated entities and individuals in the island. We are pleased to note that our intensive efforts have eventually resulted in success.

While deeply appreciating the cooperation and support extended by the Sri Lankan authorities to this end, it is also our duty to warn Sri Lanka that FETO members would without any doubt seek ways to return to this beautiful country, as soon as they feel that the attention is distracted in the future. Therefore, it is of great importance to continue to carry out surveillance on FETO affiliated individuals and entities.  

As a country which has witnessed almost thirty-year of civil war as well as a brutal terrorist attack on Easter Sunday in 2019, we are confident that Sri Lanka, more than any other country, would understand and continue to support Turkey’s efforts in fighting against FETO,” the statement said.