ALAWATUGODA, Kandy (News Cutter) — In a worrying development, the Alawatugoda Police Station in Central Province received a tip-off via the 118 emergency phone line about a potential bomb threat at a local mosque.
The call came in at approximately 2.45 p.m. on April 18, 2023, prompting the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the station to take swift action.
According to the OIC, no prior intelligence reports had been received to confirm the threat, despite the tip-off.
Nevertheless, the police have taken steps to increase security in the area as a precautionary measure. It is unclear at this stage whether any specific individual or group was identified as being responsible for the potential attack.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defense confirmed that intelligence agencies had not received any information regarding the alleged bomb threat.
However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security concerns faced by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the devastating Easter Sunday bombings in 2019.
As of now, there have been no reports of any explosive devices being found in the vicinity of the mosque or any arrests made in connection with the threat.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. (Lahiru Doloswala)
