36 Sri Lankans gone to Syria; some to join ISIS: Def. Secy.

4 January 2016 08:15 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

A A A

At least 36 Sri Lankans are reported to have gone to Syria with some of them having joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today.

He said according to reports, several Sri Lankans with their families including several women and children have been among those who had gone to Syria.

“They had said they were going on pilgrimage but I believe that some of them had joined the ISIS” he said.

Mr. Hettiarachchi said he was not in possession of the details of how or with whom they had left the country.

Last year in July, a 37-year-old Sri Lankan, who had joined ISIS was reportedly killed during a bombing raid in Syria.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hettiarachchi requested the media and other organizations to be cautious and act responsibly when reporting on the ISIS.(DS)

Comments - 22

Wahab Monday, 04 January 2016 03:30 PM

Alarming. Please reveal names and photos asap. Find root cause and imprison/hang people who are behind this.

3 36

Mason Tuesday, 05 January 2016 12:26 PM

This menace has to be curbed NOW, otherwise we will have much to REGRET.

1 3

kumaran Monday, 04 January 2016 06:44 PM

How do you suggest media act responsibly? Hide facts, like an ostrich hides its head in the sand??!!

3 14

vimal carlos Monday, 04 January 2016 05:56 PM

Take of there sri lankan citizenship

2 10

Premalal Monday, 04 January 2016 05:38 PM

You must really be in coo coo land.

3 21

Prem Nath Monday, 04 January 2016 05:38 PM

who can say they are all muslims?

7 35

kumar Monday, 04 January 2016 05:06 PM

So the Israeli Intelligence Service is so powerful enough to capture two countries with mercenaries ?

2 26

Nalin Monday, 04 January 2016 04:13 PM

This shows to what extent our intelligence services have been crippled and it wont be possible to avert imminent attack.

8 23

sinhaputhra Monday, 04 January 2016 04:06 PM

Monitor their families and their movements and also inform the immigration to apprehend them when they return.

4 20

Traveler Monday, 04 January 2016 03:59 PM

Better start now with restoring order in Kathankudy area.

4 28

unity Monday, 04 January 2016 03:47 PM

ISIS is. Isreli security intelligent service this is not Islamic state of Iraq n Siriya they r not Muslims via DM iOS App

20 27

Thomas Monday, 04 January 2016 01:56 PM

ISIS must be nipped in the bud before its tentacles spread among the Muslims of Sri Lanka

4 98

Coconut Republic Monday, 04 January 2016 03:30 PM

Ensure that they are only given one way tickets before further sickness spread.

2 23

Lezaf Monday, 04 January 2016 03:29 PM

Most of these people would have gone to Syria because they are able to get Syrian passport for $1000, and claim refugee status in Europe.

3 53

Deen Monday, 04 January 2016 03:27 PM

Please reveal their names and hometown. Their families will react and the truth will surface. For my knowledge Sri Lankan Muslims have no any reason what so ever to take such a foolish venture.

5 66

vithura Monday, 04 January 2016 03:22 PM

They should be refused entry into the country to avoid incidents such as those in Paris and Brussels.

2 44

Appu Monday, 04 January 2016 03:22 PM

Cancel the citizenship! !!Born in a beautiful country and become terrorist

3 73

tony Monday, 04 January 2016 03:13 PM

First get approval to ban or nipping them bcoz country is controlled by the west will do what USA and UK tell us .

9 43

Wiren Monday, 04 January 2016 03:11 PM

Bring back Gota. We need him.

85 64

Ramola Monday, 04 January 2016 03:10 PM

Follow the example of Australia and strip them of sri lankan citizenship. Do not allow them back into the country.

4 81

onlooker Monday, 04 January 2016 02:45 PM

All of them are nipped in the bud

9 47

iemerald Monday, 04 January 2016 02:12 PM

if you know them blacklist them.

2 71

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.