People shouldn’t assume that threat of terrorism has ended in the country : PM Wickremesinghe

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (May 09) said that the people cannot assume that the threat of terrorism has ended in the country.

"We must always be vigilant and take measures to prevent acts of terrorism from taking place," Mr. Wickremesinghe said while speaking to the press after calling on the Chief Prelates of the Four Chapters this afternoon.

The Prime Minister noted that he had briefed the Chief Prelates on the draft act which had been submitted by the Muslim Religious Affairs Ministry to regulate Madrasas / Arabic schools. He said that he had also discussed regarding the talks he engaged with Christian and Muslim religious leaders in the recent past.

"We have been able to establish a common Sri Lankan identity due to the existence of diversity across all faiths. We must take every measure possible to prevent terrorism from trampling that unique identity," Mr. Wickremesinghe emphasised.

Further, he said that the Chief Prelates had advised to limit the religious celebrations during the Vesak festival to the premises of the Temple instead of engaging in extra events outside. "We have set-up a plan to carry out the Vesak religious activities by co-ordinating with the security forces in those respective areas across the country," the Prime Minister noted.