Presidential Secretariat rejects report of security threat

• He urged the people not to be misled by the false alarm by the circular which is an old one

By Ajith Siriwardana  

President’s Secretary Udaya R. Senaviratne said certain state institutions and officials had used a circular issued by him on April 23, 2019 after the Easter Sunday attacks, to mislead the public on an imminent security threat.   

He said in a statement that he had received information that the circular bearing PS/SP/SB/C/14/2019 and several follow up letters sent to state institutions advising them to take precautionary measures on security arrangements after the Easter Sunday attacks had been used to warn of an imminent security threat purportedly prevails at present. He said security forces had confirmed that there was no security threat at present and added that they had taken steps to ensure security at state institutions, places of national interest and the general public. He requested the people not to be misled by the false alarm by the circular which is an old one.   

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera also said yesterday he had requested Acting IGP Chandana Wicremaratne to probe a letter sent by the Southern Province Assistant Education Director (National schools and school affairs) A.M.I.S.R.B. Abeyratne over security threat to schools in Matara District, despite there is no such imminent threat. He told a news conference that the said letter had been sent on October 18 to all Zonal Directors in Matara District saying that school principals should summon the parents and conduct search operations and tighten security in schools from today. The Minister said the letter had caused panic and fear among the parents. He said he inquired the matter from responsible authorities including the CID, intelligence services, secretary to the president, Southern Province governor and education minister all of whom assured that there was no imminent security threat as such.