Army Commander assures security, requests parents to send children to schools

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake has requested all parents to send their children to school without fear due to the security measures which are in place for students.

Issuing a special statement, the Army Commander observed that parents were reluctant to send their children to schools owing to several "unconfirmed stories, various rumours and gossip" which were being shared among the people.

Commander Senanayake emphasised that operations which are currently underway to apprehend those involved in the Easter Sunday terror attacks are "effectively advancing" with a "marked progress" at present.

"A satisfactory level of attendance of employees at private and state sector has been reported in the recent few days...," he pointed out adding that the situation was being restored to normalcy due to the heightened security measures in place.

The Commander also said that the Armed Forces and the Police have launched a joint programme to prevent the occurence of more violent acts in retaliation to the recent terror attacks.

On the same lines, he added that a special security network involving security forces played an instrumental role in protecting all Buddhist places of worship to ensure that peace prevails during the Vesak Festival celebrations.