Sri Lanka MOD reporting

Army troops with Policemen and other members of the Security Forces who cordoned the entire area of Nintavur – Kalmunai after terrorists fired at them from a safe house late Friday (26) evening began their clearing operations at twilight (27) reaching the location from where explosions were heard.

Troops found 15 dead bodies of men, women, children who have blown up themselves inside the safe house as the troops began searching the safe house. Accordingly, the total number of Islamic extremists killed in the Sahindamaradu incident rose to 15. Likewise, a seriously wounded woman and a child inside the same safe house, apparently after suicide explosions and 2 civilians caught in the crossfire were evacuated to Kalmunai hospital. Accordingly, the total number of terrorists killed by the Security Forces and those safe house occupants who blew up themselves stands at 15 including those two terrorists who were killed in the cross fire last evening.

(FLASH) Hiding Terrorists in Kalmunai Shoot at Security Forces 26 April. 

A combined team of the Security Forces including the Army came under fire when they were proceeding to search a suspicious place in the general area of Nintavur – Kalmunai, close to the Jumma Mosque this evening (26) at about 7.00 pm.

According to the Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sumith Atapattu when the combined group of Army, STF and Police personnel were proceeding in search of a location, said to be producing suicide bomb kits and explosives, a group of hiding 5 – 6 terrorists had begun firing at them.

At the time this report was filed, the shoot-out was still underway and more details are still forthcoming.

Meanwhile, another search operation carried out this evening (26) in Samanthurai area, Army troops recovered ISIS flags, literature and some other objects from a place, said to be the terrorist organization’s place for oath-taking.

No casualties among Security Forces have been reported. Army troops with Policemen are still conducting cordon and search operations.

Terrorist Organization, Terrorists & Its Network Identified – Commander of the Army

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army after an audience with His Eminence Dr Malcolm Ranjith, Cardinal, Archbishop of Colombo this morning (22) at Colombo Bishop’s House in response to Media queries underlined the need for proper coordination among all intelligence wings since a lapse on the part of sharing such vital information had unfortunately occurred.

“There is no need to place blame on anyone but the Army was not educated on this. The Army given authority to conduct search, arrests and road blocks would be able to do a better job in future and I appeal everyone to remain calm and quiet, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences at this critical moment”.

Following are the excerpts of his clarifications given to Media on the occasion;

“After HE the President’s return home last night, a special Security Council session was held this morning (22) with attendance of Hon Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, several Ministers and all others, including Secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-service Commanders, IGP and others. There we discussed how these incidents took place and measures that should be adopted in this regard.

We equally discussed how repetition of such incidents could be avoided in future. Respective agencies or services have their own roles and tasks. For example, Police, Army, Navy and Air Force have their own separate service roles. Similarly, we discussed role of the political authority, judicial authority, etc at different levels. HE the President specifically underscored several areas that should be implemented without fail.

If I talk about the Army, as of now it has no legal provisions to act under existing environment but considering the national requirement, the Army has already deployed troops across the country for security purposes. We want to ensure no recurrence of riots like 1983 July take place in the country where multi-ethnic communities are living.

Police curfew like yesterday would continue today as well in order to ensure peace. This is to ensure security for people. During this discussion, possibilities of vesting certain responsibilities in the Army were taken up. There HE the President directed relevant authorities to keep the Army informed of such analyzed information as soon as possible. For example, the Army sought the approval to conduct search, vehicle checks, surveillance operations and arrest of a person even in the absence of Policemen at least during this emergency period.

In addition, we have identified the network of this organization. Measures that should be taken as regards those identified elements were also discussed during this special session. We are also investigating into their international connections, local networks, their spread in different locations and all other links, etc.

I must also clearly state that there has been a lapse on the part of sharing intelligence. It does not mean that I take the responsibility for the Army. I believe as per HE the President’s decision, there will be an integrated sharing of intelligence among all agencies in future and this would be the best for the country.

If I were to give a message to the public, I appeal all of you to remain calm and support the Army’s intended roles, irrespective of ethnic, religious or any other differences. I also request you to confide in us and our roles for the sake of your security. We expect we would get those authoritative provisions for Army operations. We would certainly apply them within the prevailing legal framework in the correct manner.

As the Commander, I wish we had emergency regulations enacted at least for a short period. There you have required provisions. Similarly, we would be able to search but it is essential to arrest any suspect too at this moment. It is not necessary to heap blame on anyone but the Army is sincerely not at all enlightened on the series of explosions. But the Sri Lanka Police had been aware of it in advance.

Information that we get is adequate but the problem is that we don’t have authority to take action. We pass vital information to others who should activate on what has been given. This is where the problem lies. Army troops have been deployed everywhere in the country and more and more troops would be mobilized depending on requirements. I believe the normalcy would return shortly.

I had cordial discussions with the Cardinal and we must be able to provide security to him and should not allow this situation develop into an ethnic or religious conflict. When looked at closely, this is not a mere conflict between Christians and Islamists but there could be different perspectives and aspects related to it beyond our understanding. I urged the Cardinal to restrict his movements for the time being and meet people only at his residence. He must not unnecessarily be a target of violence.

This terrorist organization is small but we cannot ignore its foreign links. The things they have used prove that they have received foreign training. Possibly those facilities could be available here in Sri Lanka as well. They could have received foreign funds for atrocities. There can be so many such organizations in the country, although I cannot divulge them”. (Ends)

Island-Wide Army Operations on in Full Swing official MOD

Island-wide Army troops, together with Policemen, Navy and Air Force troops in a bid to stem fanatical terrorist extremism and restore normalcy in the country after Tri-Services were vested with required provisions with enforcement of Emergency Regulations are currently engaged in a variety of security operations with special focus on most vulnerable areas and places in Colombo and elsewhere.

Combined troops conducted a thorough search in the World Trade Centre (WTC) and the parallel Bank of Ceylon Tower in the heart of Colombo Fort, Nelum Pokuna Theater and several other buildings of commercial value on Thursday (25).

Similarly, many cordon and search operations in most vulnerable areas were conducted in Mattakkuliya and suburbs, Katuwapitiya, Pugoda, Puttalam, Kalladia and the troops provided full security to all funerals that took place in Katana – Negombo areas. Also, the troops were deployed around Muslim villages in the general areas of Puttalam to ensure law and order.

Over 15 Officers and more than 200 soldiers belonging to 141 and 143 Brigades of the 14 Division of the Security Force Headquarters – West joined those search operations and apprehended three suspects and handed them over to the Police for further investigations. Similarly, 583 Brigade troops conducted cordon and search operations in the general areas of Keselwatta in Panadura on Thursday (25). They searched 41 houses for security clearance in respective areas.

On the instructions of Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, Commander Security Forces – West, Army troops conducted routine foot patrols, mobile patrols and road blocks where necessary and thorough searches into selected vehicles, safe houses, locations, buildings, etc in the past 48 hours.

According to Military Spokesman, close to a contingent of about 7,000 Army personnel are deployed in Colombo and its suburbs in order to crack down movements of terrorists, their acquaintances, sympathizers and transport of explosives, arms and ammunition. As of Thursday (25) dusk, combined operations have apprehended about 60 suspects who are now under Police interrogations at respective Police Stations.

Meanwhile, similar cordon and search operations are now underway in the Eastern Province in close combination with Special Task Force (STF), Navy, Air Force troops and Policemen. A few suspects from Riditenna, Valachchenai, Kattankudy and Dimbulagala areas were taken into custody by combined troops Thursday morning (25) as they failed to furnish valid reasons for their presence in respective locations.

Similarly, East troops launched a search on the Punani University faculty now under construction and cleared the complex of any explosives before several other searches were launched.

Major General Aruna Jayasekara, Commander, Security Forces – East in the meantime attended several meetings with religious leaders and civil activists in the past 24 hours and discussed matters related to maintenance of law and order in the area.

Meanwhile, Rev Fr Roshan, the authoritative parish priest in the explosion-affected Batticaloa church who was abroad at the time of the explosion met Major General Jayasekara on Thursday (25) and commended the Army role and its quick evacuation support in Batticaloa soon after the explosion occurred.

In the same vein, members of the Army have been kept on standby in the areas where mosques are situated as Muslims were about to begin their prayers on Friday (26).

In the meantime, troops belonging to Jaffna, Wanni, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu and Central Security Force Headquarters are equally engaged in conducting separate foot patrols, static points, road blocks and vehicle checks in respective areas. Similarly, several suspects taken into custody during those search operations were handed over to the Police by the troops of the Security Force Headquarters – Kilinochchi on Thursday (25).