(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka says the elements of FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization) have been eliminated from Sri Lanka after successful joint counter-terrorism efforts by the two nations.
Addressing the Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Ceremony in Colombo on Saturday (July 15), Ambassador Demet Şekercioğlu said Türkiye continues to engage with the Sri Lankan authorities with enhanced intelligence sharing to build a strong, vigilant and comprehensive response to terrorism.
On July 15, 2016, the government of Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan foiled an attempted coup d’état by FETÖ terrorists, which claimed the lives of 251 citizens and left thousands of others injured.
The ambassador said the tragic events that unfolded on July 15t were not merely acts of terror, but a blatant affront to the founding principles that define the Republic of Türkiye and its people – the principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
She said the malicious acts witnessed on July 15, 2016, were not the results of an overnight attempt., but the climax of many years of meticulous planning and covert operations by the FETÖ led by Fetullah Gülen.
Şekercioğlu highlighted that Türkiye’s fight against FETO has been unwavering, and combating these elements of terror has been one of its top priorities both within and outside of the country.
