Misleading news about a terrorist attack risk in Sri Lanka with the spread of COVID-19 virus
A news item is shared on social media including WhatsApp, Facebook, and other websites that the U.S. State Department has issued a statement mentioning that terrorist activities are on the rise in Sri Lanka and there is a possibility of a terrorist attack in Sri Lanka in the near future.
by Anonymous |
June 1, 2021
Tourist places, transportation centers, canteens, supermarkets, public places, hotels, restaurants, religious places, airports, cultural festivals, educational institutes, hospitals, etc, could be targeted by terrorists.
Fact-check
Upon investigation of the above report, it was revealed that the U.S. State Department (CDC) had issued a Level 4 notice to refrain from travelling to Sri Lanka based on the recommendations made by various countries. The announcement was made due to the spread of the COVID- 19 virus and the CDC has issued particular notices to many countries in the South African region advising the public to refrain from traveling.
A technical inspection of the US State Department’s website update order revealed that the warning of a possible series of terrorist attacks remained the same. The country was marked at level 2 of risk potential with a substantial loss of tourists after the Easter attack on 21.04.2019. The 2nd level has moved to the 3rd stage on 6th August 2020, after the COVID- 19 situation was taken into account, advising tourists to rethink travel plans to Sri Lanka.
The warning notice has extended on 24th heightening the risk level from stage 3 to 4 advising to refrain from travelling to Sri Lanka, as the country has hit the highest risk point. The following announcement shows that it was updated in relation to the COVID situation. The new statement also mentions the former terrorist threats, but it is clear that the level 4 classification was not due to the risk associated with terrorist activities.
(https://travel.state.gov/…/sri-lanka-travel-advisory.html)
Secretary of Defense Mr. Kamal Gunaratne (Retired) said that there was no truth to the reports circulating on social media issuing a special announcement on 26th May 2021. Moreover, he said there was no need to be unduly apprehensive about Sri Lanka being included in the category with potential terrorist attacks as per the travel restrictions issued by the US for Sri Lanka.
The announcement further declared that the Ministry of Defense and other national security agencies including the Armed Forces, had strengthened national security and that the United States had issued Level 4 travel restrictions only due to the current COVID-19 situation in the country. The Secretary of Defense has informed all Sri Lankans that there is no need to create an undue fear about national security as the content including terrorist attacks is an ordinary process that complies with the classification procedure.
Therefore, according to the statement issued by the US State Department, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a warning to refrain from traveling to Sri Lanka (Level 4) due to the COVID virus outbreak. It also confirms that there are no warnings issued about significant terrorist activities other than former attacks and incidents.
