New security forces unit to monitor extremist threats

The Government is to set up a special unit under the Defence Ministry to assess threats from international terror groups and local religious extremists, reports say.

The unit to be set up on a directive from President Maithripala Sirisena, will be headed by Major General Dharshana Hettiarachchi, the Northern Army Commander. He has been transferred to Colombo, while a new Northern commander has been appointed.

Nearly hundred specially trained personnel from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are to be assigned to the unit to assist in carrying out their assessments and taking counteraction.

A gazette notification outlining the powers of the unit is to be issued soon.

The unit is being set up following the developments after the April 21 Easter Sunday bombings and revelations that intelligence reports received had not been properly assessed and necessary follow up action taken.