Cardinal asks for security, following fresh concerns

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had asked for security for catholic institutions to ensure the safety of devotees and others who come to such places following fresh concerns on the security.

A spokesman for the Cardinal told Daily Mirror that he had asked for a security beef up for two reasons. First reason according to the spokesman is that he feels that easing of security in the institutions is not a wise move. Second is the information received on impending threats.

“We feel that some interested parties might create some incident to get political mileage as an election is around the corner and also to get the elections postponed again for political reasons. Cardinal had asked for a beef-up of security for this reason,” he said.

He said the cardinal sent a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena asking for security for catholic institutions a few days back.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said the letter on possible attacks was issued without any confirmation from the intelligence units and that a probe will be carried out to determine whether there was any subversive purpose behind the letter. (Yohan Perera)