Prez assures security, urges envoys to lift advisories

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday explained to foreign diplomats in the country that he could guarantee the national security situation was 99 per cent ensured.

The President’s Media Division (PMD) said ambassadors and high commissioners of the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and the European Union participated in the meeting held yesterday at the President’s House.

While expecting continuous assistance from the respective countries for Sri Lanka’s national security programme, President Sirisena requested the envoys to assist his government by removing travel restrictions imposed on tourists following the Easter Sunday attacks.

A discussion was also held with regard to extending the state of emergency. The President told the emissaries that the state of emergency was extended due to the search operations conducted by the military. He said he hoped there would be no need to extend the state of emergency further.

The PMD said diplomats expressed their appreciation and pledged to take immediate action to remove restrictions issued against travelling to Sri Lanka.