The Police say following two bomb threats targeting the Kandy District Secretariat, another bomb scare was reported today at the Badulla District Secretariat.

According to the Police, the latest threat was received via email and was similar to the earlier threats reported in the Kandy area.

In response, staff members at the Badulla District Secretariat were immediately evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Police further stated that search operations are currently underway, with special units deployed to inspect the premises.

They confirmed that no suspicious objects have been found so far. (Newswire)

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Investigations have revealed that two emails threatening a bomb explosion at the Kandy District Secretariat have been sent to its official address, originating from a South Asian country, it was reported. 

According to the state newspaper Dinamina, investigations have also uncovered that similar emails had been sent from the same country in December.

The Criminal Investigation Department has now launched an inquiry into the incident. It is reported that one of the emails was received on December 23, but the District Secretary was informed about it only on the morning of December 26.

Following a complaint made by District Secretary Indika Udawatta to Central Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Sudath Masinghe, the Bomb Disposal Unit, Police K9 Division, and Special Task Force immediately searched the Secretariat premises.

After inspecting all vehicles parked within the premises, the Police announced that the information was false. Later, as routine duties resumed at the Secretariat, another email was sent to the official address, warning of an explosion before 4.00 pm.

Upon informing the Police again, several bomb disposal teams arrived, causing fear among staff. As a result, many employees left on half‑day leave, creating serious difficulties for members of the public who had come for services.

Since December 26 was the only working day for government offices after the Christmas holidays and before the weekend, the public, who had come for services such as renewing driving licenses, said they faced severe inconvenience when services could not be obtained. (Newswire)

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Government Spokesman Vijitha Herath says that the recent bomb scares on Indian flights are suspected to be attempts of sabotage.

Addressing the post-Cabinet Media briefing held today, Minister Vijitha Herath revealed that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and State Intelligence Service (SIS) were probing the matter. 

He further said that the National Security Council is also scheduled to convene today for a discussion on the continuous flight bomb scares.

According to Indian Media, in 14 days, more than 350 flights operated by Indian carriers have received hoax bomb threats.

The most recent bomb scare related to a Sri Lankan-bound flight was reported yesterday at the Katunayake Airport. 

An Indian aircraft made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last afternoon due to a bomb threat, marking the third such incident in recent days.

Similar bomb threats were also reported on October 19 and 24, where two Vistara flights from Mumbai to Katunayake were also forced to make emergency landings. (Newswire) 

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The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has assured the safety and security of all passengers and crew at Sri Lanka Airports, in the backdrop of recent bomb scares on some Indian flights. 

In light of recent incidents regarding the bomb scare on Vistara flights on 19 and 24 October at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, the AASL said it reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for all passengers and crew. 

“As Sri Lanka’s civil airport operator, we prioritize the safety and security of our valued passengers and airport users in close coordination with all relevant safety and security authorities. We operate in full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), adhering strictly to internationally recognized protocols to manage and respond to such situations effectively. Passengers and airport users can rest assured that their safety remains our utmost priority,” AASL Chairman, Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Harsha Abeywickrema said.  

The AASL further said its management, together with the other service providers, is taking all necessary steps to experience a happy journey for its valued passengers at its airports. 

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience experienced by our guests due to these circumstances and thank them for their understanding and cooperation,” an AASL statement said. (Newswire)

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The Management of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake today declared a full emergency in response to another reported bomb scare on a Vistara flight from Mumbai to Colombo.

Issuing a statement, the BIA Management said that the flight was scheduled to arrive at 15:15 hrs today (Oct 24) and a nonspecific call on a bomb threat had been reported to the flight before landing.

Accordingly, the security agencies and relevant authorities adopted all precautionary and preventive measures in line with the protocol. 

The flight with 107 passengers, one infant, and 8 crew onboard landed safely at the airport at 14:55 hrs. All passengers were swiftly evacuated from the aircraft to the passenger terminal building, and the safety of all passengers was assured.

The BIA management noted that the Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd, together with all other authorities responsible for security, followed the standard protocols established for such incidents and ensured the safety and security of all passengers and crew.

“We hereby inform our valued passengers and airport users that flight operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) continue as usual without any disruption to the airport’s normal operations. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused to our valued guests and airport users and appreciate their understanding,” it added.

Meanwhile, Indian media reported that over 85 flights have received fresh threats within a span of 24 hours. 

According to the latest tally, these threats targeted 20 flights from Air India, 20 from Indogo, 20 from Vistara and another 25 from Akasa Airlines.

In little over a week, more than 170 flights operated by the Indian carriers have received bomb threats. (Newswire)

A Vistara flight arriving from Mumbai was checked for a bomb scare at Katunayake Airport in Sri Lanka today. Nearly 250 Indian flights reportedly received fake bomb threats in last 10 days according to Indian media pic.twitter.com/CZZSsnc3qx

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) October 24, 2024

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A tense situation was reported at the Kandy Courts today over an alleged bomb scare, it was reported.

According to media reports, the Police emergency hotline 119 had received an anonymous tip on a bomb placed at the court premises.

Following the tip-off, all cases at the Kandy courts were halted and the people at the premises were evacuated after which a thorough inspection was carried out.

The Police had received the tip around 10.00 am after which the law enforcement authorities and bomb squad units commenced a thorough inspection of the premises. 

No injuries have been reported and the situation has been brought under control, but the public is requested to avoid the area until further notice. 

The Police warned that if the anonymous tip phone call is found to be fake, a comprehensive investigation will be conducted through the phone number provided and the law will be strictly enforced against those found guilty. (Newswire)

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