No evidence of ISIS operations in Sri Lanka

The Defence Ministry says there is no evidence to back claims that the ISIS terrorist group was operating in Sri Lanka.

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that while there were reports of a Sri Lankan man joining ISIS, there is no concrete evidence to suggest the group was operating in Sri Lanka.

“We condemn the operations of ISIS,” he added.

The new Defence Secretary was speaking to reporters after visiting the Chief Prelates in Kandy today.

Hettiarachchi said that National Security will also not be relaxed and the military will remain on alert for potential threats from domestic and foreign elements.

?When a thief robs our house we relax later assuming it will not happen again. We are not going to be like that. We will remain on alert assuming there is a threat,? he said.

The Defence Secretary also said that threats to National security does not come just from terrorists.

He noted that even Indian fishermen pose a threat to Sri Lanka as they are seen as ?economic terrorists? so the navy is on alert to counter their activities.?(Colombo Gazette)