Army personnel deployed to assist police to control tensions

Sri Lanka Army personnel have been deployed to assist the police in controlling the situation at Galle Face and protect all civilians, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva says.

He told a media briefing that the armed forces are fully committed to protecting the civilians of the country as they have been doing since these protests started several weeks ago.

“We have to facilitate the essential services in the country and we very kindly urge all of you to help the armed forces to maintain those services and provide that space to the armed forces. We urge you to shun violence and help maintain peace without behaving in an unruly manner.”

Speaking further he said: “Armed Forces are not at all there to do anything else regarding your protests, but what we want is to assist maintain law and order. We are there to protect our country, our civilians and public property.”

As a result, army troops have been deployed in Colombo area at the request of the police, in order to assist them to maintain peace, the army chief explained.

“At this moment we urge our intelligent and peace-loving citizens in the country to act wisely and refrain from damaging public property and harming personnel as we have to forge ahead as a country,” he continued.

“I very humbly and personally urge you to help the armed forces and refrain from violence since only arson, murder or brawls would not in any way solve burning issues. As the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, I assure you the best of security to all the people and the public property in the country,” General Shavendra Silva appealed.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratna, who joined the media briefing, stated that the tri-forces personnel are called up to assist the police to contain the present situation at the Galle Face and adjacent areas in order to maintain security and ensure public safety.

Accordingly, he requested the general public to support the tri-forces and remain calm and exercise restraint.

“We know economic hardships, being experienced by all civilians. All of us are Sri Lankans and they are our sisters, brothers, sons and daughters and such provocations, arson attacks and destruction of public and private property would bring no solution to these problems. Please help the police and security forces to maintain law and order. We are committed to protect the lives of both young and old and I appeal all of you to remain calm and help us at this decisive moment of our country,” he urged.