23rd April 2019 17:36:48 Hours
Directorate of Operations at the Army Headquarters on the directions of the Commander of the Army has taken steps to mobilize extra troops for emergency security requirements covering largely vulnerable areas and for conduct of island-wide patrolling in close coordination with all island-wide Security Force Headquarters, Divisions and Brigades while beefing up security around residences of clergymen, churches and religious places of worship, prominent state institutes and other important locations after several explosions killed a few more than 200 and injured about 465 people, mostly devotees praying in churches on Easter Sunday (21).
The Army mobilized extra troops to blasts-affected Kochchikade, Negombo, Dematagoda, Dehwala, Batticaloa areas and the heart of Colombo where affected Shangri La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand Hotels are situated and helped evacuate victims and the Police for related work. Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sumith Atapattu addressing a media brief at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) this afternoon was quoted saying that at least a thousand Army members have been deployed in Colombo soon after the blasts.
The Army also requests everyone to cooperate with the Police and members of the Security Forces and remain in houses until the culprits are brought to justice. Equally, it urges the public to inform the nearest Police station or the Army or any other Security Force wing of any suspicious elements that might move about in respective areas. Meanwhile, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene during the same Media brief at the MOD assured that the culprits would be apprehended as early as possible in order to ascertain the elements behind these blasts and their motives as well.
Meanwhile, Security Force Headquarters-East promptly responded to the tragic developments that took place in the Batticaloa Sevon Church where 31 devotees were killed during Easter praying. As of now, Army troops are in the process of identifying and delivering those dead ones to their next of kin after judicial procedures. East Commander met the Bishop of Batticaloa diocese and beefed up security covering Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Pasikuda areas where guest houses are situated. Special discussions on security measures were also held in Batticaloa with the participation of Governor, District Secretary, DIG and Security Forces. Similar security arrangements are now underway in Trincomalee, headed by the General Officer Commanding, 22 Division. Running sports | 2021 New adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 "Ash Stone" GW0089 , Ietp
