President Maithripala Sirisena will summon a monthly meeting to review national security while obtaining the ideas and suggestions of all the parties.
This decision was taken at the very first meeting of the Committee held at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (24) under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.
Furthermore, the president said that this meeting is open to ideas if there are any shortcomings and weaknesses of national security.
He added that this committee is open to present ideas, proposals, issues, and allegations, a press release from the Presidential Secretariat said.
All the representatives who attended the meeting expressed their gratitude to President Sirisena for taking steps to mitigate the situation arose in the country recently, with in a short period of time.
They also expressed their appreciation to the President for summoning this kind of series of dialogues, creating a platform to present the ideas, suggestions as well as allegations of all parties, and further stated that it is a timely step.
Expressing his views the President said even though the terrorist activities were ended in Sri Lanka, it is utmost important to be continuously vigilant regarding the national security of the country, when considering the experiences faced by other countries in the world regarding this terrorist organization.
The President emphasized that the assistance of all parties are required in strengthening the national security of the country when considering these international conditions.
Speaking on the occasion Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he had the opportunity to hold discussions with foreign ambassadors in the past few days and said that they are satisfied with the present security situation of the country.
Accordingly, the Speaker said that they will take steps to swiftly remove the travel restrictions imposed by some countries for tourists visiting the country and that the tourist industry would be restored within a short period of time.
The Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the gathering, stressed the importance of unity among all irrespective of political differences when working towards ensuring the national security of the country.
The Chairman of United National Party Kabir Hashim pointed out the importance of controlling the media and the social media regarding this incident.
Dr Sarath Amunugama said that there is a need for a broad investigation regarding the ways of financial flows to the terrorists as well as the circulation of that money and how they obtain weapons.
The President of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama M.I.M. Rizvi Moulavi expressing his views said that the country should come first for all and everyone should be committed to providing any kind of support to the country.
Governors also expressed their views. They said that they believe establishing the Civil Security Committees instead of Community Police Units in a stronger and comprehensive manner, will provide more service in the task of ensuring national security.
President Sirisena said that he will pay broad attention regarding all these issues and, these facts will be discussed at the National Security Council and will take the necessary steps to implement them
Director General of the National Institute of Security Studies Asanka Abeysekara apprised regarding the enactment of new Acts on the prevention of false news.
Head of Security Divisions including the Tri-Forces Commanders also expressed their views, presented details regarding the steps that they have taken to prevent the activities of the terrorists while obtaining the assistance of International Intelligence Services as these terrorist attacks were linked with international terrorist organisations.
All religious leaders including the Maha Sangha , Speaker Jayasuriya, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Opposition Leader Rajapaksa and Senior Ministers, Governors, Party Leaders and representatives, University Vice Chancellors, Professors and experts, Secretary to the President Udaya R. Senevirathne, Secretary to the Defence, Chief of the Defence Staff and Commanders of the Tri- Forces and Acting IGP and Defence Heads were also participated in this discussion.
(Republic Next)