Unity helped SL recover from Easter attacks: PM

• Releasing special statement to mark three months since attacks, says country is recovering well 
• Thanks security forces, Police and people for rallying together to overcome challenges 
• Says unity is why SL was able to minimise damage and move forward in three months 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that Sri Lanka is recovering from the Easter Sunday attacks and expressed gratitude to the people for coming together to overcome the challenges created by the suicide bombings. 

Releasing a statement to mark three months since the Easter Sunday tragedy, Wickremesinghe praised the security forces for acting swiftly and decisively to bring the situation under control, apprehend suspects connected to the attacks and for restoring national security. He also said this was achieved in less than two months and was an impressive feat for the Armed Forces and Police.  “We are now successfully taking care of many other aspects linked to the attacks such as providing compensation for the victims, getting medical care for the injured, establishing a special fund for the children orphaned by the attack, rebuilding the churches, restoring the economy affected by the attacks and continuing to improve national security,” the statement said. 

Wickremesinghe highlighted the ongoing recovery of the tourism industry that was the worst hit from the attacks. Tourist numbers have been seen slowly increasing over the last two months, even though numbers are still 50% less than what was seen during the same period last year. 

“We can only overcome challenges that come before the country if we come together. We faced the Easter Sunday attacks together. Even though some factions attempted to push forward their personal agendas in an organised manner to benefit from the situation, those who were genuine patriots worked to help the country. These people who helped the country are the majority. This was the reason why we were able to come this far in the same of just three months.” 

Wickremesinghe also said that he would work to protect and promote this unity as it was the best way for the country to move forward. He also said that people should continue to work together to develop Sri Lanka.