ACTING DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS TROUBLE-TORN AREAS

Says most of the terrorists behind Easter Sunday’s attack in custody

Acting Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardena said nearly 97% of the terrorists behind the Easter Sunday attack are now in custody and the security forces are on the lookout for the rest. He said even those who supported the terrorists directly or indirectly would also be arrested on charges of aiding and abetting and said the security forces have been given full powers to carry out their duties.

The Acting Defence Minister said this when he met the

Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera and the Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Maha Nayaka Thera. He was accompanied by the State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

While in Kandy they also met the Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya, Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera and the Anunayaka of Malwathu Chapter the Ven. Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thera.

Subsequently, Acting Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena and State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne accompanied by Deputy Minister Edward Gunasekera, MPS Harshana Rajakaruna and S.M. Marikkar visited Minuwangoda and Negombo to check on the situation there.