The Ministry of Defence has refuted news reports circulating on social media platforms and electronic media with regard to “a likely terror attack on Sri Lanka churches.”
Issuing a statement, the Ministry said the news that is currently circulating was based on basic information which is neither analyzed nor confirmed by the respective authorities.
The Ministry added that Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) has reiterated that there is no reason for the public to panic over the incident.
The clarification comes, after a group of Navy officers had visited the St. Nicholas Church in Bopitiya, Ja-Ela yesterday, to warn people at the church to remain vigilant as information had been received on a possible terror attack.
The officers had informed a maid at the church in this regard and had left, as the chief priest of the church had not been present at the time the Navy officers’ visit.
He had thereafter, inquired in this from the Navy officer who had visited the church, while he had also inquired in this regrad from the Archbishop’s House.
Rev. Father Jayantha Nimal of the church said that,however, the Navy officers had returned today and had rectified the situation.
The Defence Ministry had also issued a statement in this regard, clarifying that the message on the possible attack was based on basic information and is neither analyzed nor confirmed by the respective authorities. (NewsWire)