Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told a high-level meeting on security for the Kandy Perahera that the Government would provide maximum security to ensure the holding of a successful Esala Pageant of the Sri Dalada Maligawa this year. The Prime Minister was presiding over a conference held in Kandy to plan security arrangements for the historic pageant, the country’s biggest annual religious event that draws thousands of devotees and is a major tourist attraction.
The Prime Minister said that although there was no immediate threat since all the terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks were either dead or in police custody, the Government would take every possible step to enhance security in Kandy to facilitate the conducting of a successful Esala Pageant this year. He said that already 200 suspects involved in the Easter attacks were now in detention and being questioned by police. He said that the Kandy Esala Pageant was the main religious festival at this time of the year.
Central Province Senior DIG S. M.Wickramasinghe said that the authorities in Kandy had drawn up the security plan considering this year’s pageant as more crucial than previsions years. There was the largest crowd in history to witness the final Randoli Perahera last year. A pre-intelligence operation had been conducted with Army assistance to ensure maximum security during the perahera season.
All underground pedestrian tunnels have been kept under scrutiny to prevent the presence of undesirable elements. A list of persons lodged inside business establishments had also been made.
Security will be further tightened in Kandy from August 1, he announced. He said a 6,000 member police contingent assisted by 1,500 Army personnel would be deployed for Perahera duties.
A special identity card had been issued to artistes participating in the Perahera. Search operations would be conducted along the Perahera route prior to the Perahera on each day. The public accessing the Perahera route will also be subject to checks.
Brigade commander Maj. Gen. Senarath Bandara said the Army will support the police in the security operation and Army Women’s Corps members will be deployed to check females entering the Perahera route.
Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Anunayake thera of the Malwatte Chapter said a special program was needed to check bhikkhus coming to witness the perahera as terrorists could use various guises to breach security cordons. The Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thera, Ven.Tibbotuwawe Medhankara Thera, Ven. Muruddeniya Dhammaratana Thera, Minister Malik Samarawickrama, State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene, Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake, Kandy District Secretary Tissa Karunaratne and the Basnayake Nilames of the four main Devalaya’s attended the conference.