Sri Lanka to change defence heads after attacks

Sri Lanka`s president Maithripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe look on during a parliament session marking the 70th anniversary of Sri LankaÕs Government, in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 3 October 2017. Reuters File Photo
Sri Lanka`s president Maithripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe look on during a parliament session marking the 70th anniversary of Sri LankaÕs Government, in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 3 October 2017. Reuters File Photo

Sri Lanka president Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday said he expects to change the heads of the country's defence forces within a day following their failure to prevent suicide bombs that killed over 300 people, despite the fact they had prior information about the attacks.

"I will completely restructure the police and security forces in the coming weeks. I expect to change the heads of defence establishments within next 24 hours," Sirisena said a televised address to the nation.

This handout photo taken and released by the Sri Lankan President`s Office on on 23 April 2019 shows president Maithripala Sirisena (2nd L) visiting St. Sebastian`s church in Negombo, two days after a series of bomb attacks targeting churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP
This handout photo taken and released by the Sri Lankan President`s Office on on 23 April 2019 shows president Maithripala Sirisena (2nd L) visiting St. Sebastian`s church in Negombo, two days after a series of bomb attacks targeting churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP

"The security officials who got the intelligence report from a foreign nation did not share it with me. Appropriate actions would have been taken. I have decided to take stern action against these officials."