Alawatugoda Police Station in Central Province received a report regarding a possible bomb threat at a nearby mosque over the 118 emergency phone line, which is a concerning development.
The Officer in Charge (OIC) of the station acted quickly after receiving the call at around 2.45 p.m. on April 18, 2023.
Despite the tip-off, the OIC said that no earlier intelligence reports had been obtained to verify the threat.
However, as a precaution, the police have taken action to amplify security in the vicinity. At this point, it is unknown if any specific people or organizations have been linked to the prospective attack.
A Ministry of Defense spokeswoman acknowledged that the intelligence community had not been provided with any information regarding the purported bomb threat.
But the tragedy serves as a harsh reminder of Sri Lanka’s ongoing security worries following the horrific Easter Sunday bombings in 2019.
As of right now, no arrests have been made in connection with the threat, nor have any explosive devices been discovered close to the mosque.
Authorities are advising the public to exercise caution and promptly report any suspicious activities to the police as the situation is still a moving target.
