Al-Qaeda is not operating in Sri Lanka: Defence Ministry

Monday, 28 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ministry of Defence says Al Qaeda does not have a base in Sri Lanka nor does any other terrorist organisation. Defence Ministry spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that on several occasions there had been allegations that foreign terrorist groups were using Sri Lanka as a base for training.

He said that the Sri Lankan authorities have not given any space for such groups to operate inside Sri Lanka. “Terrorism is terrorism no matter what form it is in. Like the way we defeated the LTTE if Muslim or Islamic groups attempt to engage in terrorism from inside Sri Lanka we will not leave room for such activities,” he said. Wanigasooriya says Sri Lanka has the capability of detecting and taking action again any terrorist related activities on Sri Lankan soil. However he says so far the Army and the defence intelligence units have not received any information related to foreign terrorist groups operating in Sri Lanka. (Colombo Gazette)