No ISIS in Sri Lanka: Sagala

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

ISIS operations are not carried out in Sri Lanka and the Government has taken adequate measures to prevent foreign terrorist organisations from making use of Sri Lanka, the Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka confirmed to Parliament yesterday.

Creating a religious dialogue and awareness with the co-ordination of Muslim politicians, religious leaders, Ministry of Education, Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and civil organisations such as All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulma (ACJU) and National Shoora Council are the key measures the Government has taken in order to dissuade the Muslim community from joining  in extremist activities. 

According to the Minister, necessary action is now underway with the assistance of teachers as well as parents to represent all the communities at schools. Supervision of the immigration and emigration system for identified extremists in the country and people who return from countries known for terrorism after engaging in foreign education, occupations or other activities is also a measure properly in place. Adding more to the list, the Government has also prevented the propaganda spread of  extremist ideas though social media, and taken proper measures against this by deactivating accounts that spread ISIS ideas, as well as taking legal action against any lecturers or institutions  who propagate such extremist ideas. 

“A number of international organisations come under regular monitoring where regular exchange of intelligence reports take place between Sri Lankan authorities and their counterparts in the rest of the world. If they know of such information media politicians have an obligation to inform the community,” added Minister Ratnayaka who rejected the allegations of ISIS operations in the island. However, UNP MP S.M. Marikkar said: “It was found on the internet that a place was found in Dehiwala housing members of the ISIS. It was also stated they have found suicide kits. Those who were supporting the previous regime spread this information to disrupt reconciliation. Now the minister is confirming that no such members were found. Adding more to it, another website has identified Salamulla, Dehiwala, Kurunegala, and Kandy as places with ISIS activities. It appears that they are better informed than the intelligence community of the country.”