St Joseph’s Church in Batticaloa celebrates annual feast amidst strengthened security

In Batticaloa, Thannamunai, security provided by the Army enabled St Joseph’s Church to go ahead with its annual feast  as planned with hundreds of devotees attending it, the Army's Directorate of Media said.

More than 800 devotees and 125 Catholic priests were present at this feast, the statement from the Directorate said .

Bishop of Batticaloa Rt Rev Joseph Ponniah and Bishop of Trincomalee Diocese had brief exchange of views with the visiting Army, Major General Aruna Jayasekara and commended the Army for its ongoing security arrangements as well as the security provided to the Church feast amid existing threats.

 Security Forces strengthened their searches in Kalmunai, Nintavur, Saindamaradu, Samanthurai, Kaththankudy, Nappatthumunai, Potuvil, Batticaloa and Ampara areas and handed over several suspects to the Police in respective areas, including 1 suspect with ISIS literature, swords and knives.  Security Forces are continuing their operations in the Eastern region.

Further Army troops have prioritized the provision of security at the South Eastern University in Oluvil, Ampara, the main seat of learning in the East, the statement said.