No removal of military, CDF personnel from places of worship

Reports circulating that the officers and soldiers of the Army and the Civil Defence Force, who were deployed for the security of places of worship have been removed from those activities are completely false, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.

Ministry media spokesperson Colonel Nalin Herath told a press conference held at the military headquarters in Battaramulla that it has been reported that such stories are circulating especially on social media.

Army Media Spokesman Major General Rasika Kumara said that currently 1,584 Army officers and soldiers have been deployed for security and construction work at various religious places in Sri Lanka, of which 364 officers have been deployed for security and 1,220 officers have been deployed for construction work.

The Army media spokesman said statements made these days that these officers have been removed on some social media networks and a television channel are false. He also said that the security provided by the Sri Lanka Army has never been reduced for religious ceremonies held annually in temples, Catholic churches, Mosques, Hindu temples and at various other religious shrines.

Answering a question raised by a journalist as to whether the security of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced, the Army Media Spokesman said that the security of the former President has not been reduced at all. He further said that the security provided by the Army to foreign tourists following reports of threats in Arugambay and elsewhere will continue.

Colonel Herath added in the future such false propaganda carried out through social media regarding the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Police will be dealt legally.

Civil Defence Force media spokesperson Colonel Dumil Pathirana  also participated in this press conference.

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