Media reports of groups linked to Al-Qaeda operating here:

External Affairs Ministry inquires from US

Disna Mudalige

The External Affairs Ministry has made an inquiry from the US on media reports of groups linked to Al-Qaeda operating in Sri Lanka, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the ministry auditorium yesterday, the minister said media reports in this regard have not yet been confirmed.

He said the US has neither officially informed nor made an inquiry so far about this matter from the Sri Lankan government.

However, the minister said the External Affairs Ministry has made an inquiry on this matter from the US, but there has been no response as yet. He made these observations in response to a question by a journalist.