Presidential Secretariat set to resume operations after 100 days

The Presidential secretariat which was blocked by protesters for more than 100 days is set to return back to normal operations from Monday onwards under a tight security cover, officials said.
 
A senior official said that cleaning up and repairs were underway and they expect to keep the office premises ready over the weekend.
 
Security forces have opened Galle road for traffic in front of the Secretariat while maintaining heavy police and army presence around the area. 
 
Protestors were observed staying around 100 metres away from the Presidential Secretariat, but no protests were held during the day. Some of them were seen playing cricket.
 
The protest, also known as the Aragalaya, disrupted work at the Presidential Secretariat for a prolonged period.
 
The Presidential Secretariat Office has also gone through damages in the perturbed time period, which require necessary renovations. 
 
However, the Army seizure of the office had made it possible for the Presidential Secretariat to recommence activities and make renovations from Monday onward. 
 
Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that the Presidential Office is a part of a wider system by which the President conducts his duties and needed to be open soon. 
 
According to the Police, the ambiguity of the protestors in regard to returning the  Presidential Secretariat Office had led to the raid by the police and security forces to reacquire possession.
 
Further, the Police elaborated that the disregard of the protestors to a court order issued to protect the statute of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was the cause of conflict. 

Police Spokesman said that the number of valuable items stolen and lost in conflict from the Presidential Secretariat cannot be accurately stated as of yet. 
 
However, investigations are underway with the cooperation of other departments including the Department of Archaeology. 
 
Police Spokesman told the Sunday Times no arrests have been made yet with regard to the losses.  "The Police consider this as a destruction of public property", he added, stating that investigations are being conducted into the matter.