The Inspector General of Police, Deshbandu Tennakoon, has underscored the necessity for stringent security measures in light of the upcoming Ramazan festival and the Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Ministry’s Security Division, the IGP emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing elite security and national security, citing the global menace of extremist terrorist threats.
“Extremist and terrorist attacks often occur unexpectedly worldwide. This highlights the imperative of maintaining vigilance,” asserted the police chief.
Furthermore, Tennakoon cautioned against potential assaults on political, religious, and cultural sectors aimed at fomenting public unrest.
With the approach of Ramadan and the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, the IGP emphasized the need for heightened security, acknowledging the possibility of evolving security conditions. While he assured that the scale of threats might not match that of the Easter attack, he stressed the importance of addressing social issues such as extremism and terrorism.
In preparation for Ramadan, special security measures have been implemented for mosques, with over 7,500 security personnel actively engaged in safeguarding these religious sites.
Tennakoon instructed the implementation of a comprehensive security arrangement involving the police, Special Task Force (STF), and the armed forces for the April 11th Ramadan festival. This plan was devised following consultations with mosque maulvis across police jurisdictions.
According to police sources, a total of 5,580 police officers, 510 Special Task Force officers, and 1,260 military personnel have been deployed to secure 2,453 mosques where religious services are conducted nationwide.
