Military appraises foreign missions of security improvement

By Charumini de Silva

Military officials have begun to meet diplomatic missions to appraise them of the improvements in the security situation post-Easter Sunday terror attacks to relax the adverse travel advisories, a top official confirmed yesterday.

“Chief of Defence Staff yesterday met the defence attachés of all the embassies and high commissions in Sri Lanka to update on the latest progress of the security situation in the country,” Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Kishu Gomes told journalists. Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga also said that they have started to individually speak to the diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka on the latest security situation and to appeal to reverse their adverse travel advisories imposed post Easter Sunday extremist group terror attacks. “We are now appealing to the ambassadors and high commissioners in 

Sri Lanka.

We are enlightening them on the current security situation and what developments have been taken place, while appealing them to lift the adverse travel bans and advisories,” he added.

Terror attacks in three churches and an equal number of five-star hotels in the city on Easter Sunday killed nearly 260 people including 45 tourists and injured over 500, which had resulted in 37 global travel advisories against Sri Lanka in various forms.

Gomes said delegation from the tourism industry along with the Minister and Army intelligence official met with the German Ambassador to update on the latest security situation and what steps have been taken to face any possible threats in future.

“The Army intelligence officer made a presentation to the German Ambassador. The Ambassador was convinced of the fact that situation is now under control, but in terms of getting the ban lifted there are few steps he has to go through,” Gomes added.

Minister said the French Ambassador too was highly satisfied with security measures taken to ensure safety. “They are all just waiting a couple of more days and then they will hopefully get the adverse travel advisories amended,” he said.

The Minister also noted that he would soon visit the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka to update on the latest situation of the country.

“All the negative advisories depend on the ambassadors and high commissioners who are here. They are the people who are informing their people and we hope they will respond to our plea positively,” Amaratunga said.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola