Sri Lanka as one of the first beneficiary states, welcomed the official launch on May 7 of the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Programme that seeks to support member states to enhance their detection capacity to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.
Delivering remarks at the event, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Dr. Rohan Perera, acknowledged with gratitude the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UN Counter Terrorism agencies as the country now “grapples with a new kind of terrorist threat”, and seeks to enhance its domestic security architecture to meet the new challenges.
Expressing appreciation to the UN officials at the Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) and Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) who have worked with Sri Lanka closely and tirelessly, particularly during the last two weeks to prepare for time sensitive assistance, responsive to the needs of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador welcomed the proposed visit by a UNOCT/CTED team as a preliminary first step to discuss possible assistance on an interactive advance passenger information/passenger name record system (API/PNR).
“In this backdrop we look forward to working closely in the coming days to formulate a package which would include detailed information with regard to the type of assistance including technical details that would expand on the Counter Terrorism Travel Program tailored to Sri Lanka’s particular needs.”
The Ambassador reported that following the Easter Sunday attacks the Government of Sri Lanka is taking every measure to safeguard all its citizens, carry out investigations and secure its borders, while ensuring the protection of civil liberties, and continuing to pursue its agenda for peace and reconciliation.
He informed that two local organizations namely the National Thowheed Jama’at (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI) with suspected linkages to ISL/Da’esh have claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday Attacks. Investigations are being pursued to establish the precise nature of these linkages.
Sri Lanka is now in the process of proscribing these two local organizations under emergency regulations, while action is being taken to review the list of proscribed entities and individuals under local legislation giving effect to UNSCR 1373.
“Sri Lanka as an immediate priority will promulgate local legislation which will give effect to relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on countering violent extremism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters. In this regard our Mission will shortly seek the kind cooperation of relevant UN Counter Terrorism bodies/Committees seeking expertise and technical assistance as to how best to effectively leverage the UN Counter Terrorism Architecture,” he said.
“Given the impact of these tragic events including in New Zealand, among others, on the very fabric of our collective civilizations, the international community must join forces in renewing our efforts to combat violent extremism and terrorism that threatens to tear apart our societies, and to cause chaos in order to open up a space for terror to operate. It is apparent that these terrorists having lost territory elsewhere now look for new pressure points to ignite.”
Dr. Perera said Sri Lanka is urgently addressing the issues of radicalization of its youth and preventing and countering violent extremism. “We seek the assistance of the international community in this regard as we collectively respond to these alarming trends in violent extremism.”
In this regard, as recommended by CTED following its field visit to Sri Lanka in 2016, Sri Lanka is looking at adopting a whole of government strategy at countering violent extremism and a plan of action to prevent and counter violent extremism and build community resilience throughout the country as a medium to long term strategy. To this end Sri Lanka will hold initial discussions with CTED in the coming days.
Sri Lanka is currently holding discussions with all stakeholders regarding the setting up of a Regional Cooperation Centre on Counter Terrorism in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador said. A scoping study for the project has already been concluded.
“As we continue to face these unprecedented challenges, Sri Lanka is strengthened by the overwhelming assurances of support we have been receiving by the International Community following the recent attacks. With your active support to translate these assurances into practical action, we will face these challenges with courage and determination.”
