The Global Terrorism Index 2025 classifies Sri Lanka as a country with low terrorist threat, ranking 100th among 163 nations with a score of zero. Dr. Wasantha Bandara of PNM credits the armed forces for restoring security and warns against complacency. Additionally, rising incidents in the West raise concerns, while safety issues for female doctors demand urgent attention.
The recent Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 has classified Sri Lanka among countries experiencing the lowest terrorist threat, ranking it 100th out of 163 evaluated nations. According to Dr. Wasantha Bandara, a spokesperson for the National Patriotic Movement (PNM), Sri Lanka shares a score of zero in the GTI, matching 63 other countries in this regard. Furthermore, it holds the same low threat status as Bhutan within the South Asian context.
Dr. Bandara emphasized the significant sacrifices made by the armed forces and police in restoring order in Sri Lanka. He highlighted that the conclusion of the war against the LTTE in May 2009 contributed to this improved classification, although the GTI was initiated thereafter. The GTI report utilizes data from the TerrorismTracker, which has documented over 73,000 terrorist events from 2007 to 2024.
Despite these positive developments, he noted a rise in the number of countries affected by terrorism, climbing from 58 to 66. The West, which has been implicated in terrorist encouragement elsewhere, has seen a 63% surge in such activities, especially in Europe where incidents have doubled. Dr. Bandara urged vigilance, recalling past failures to avert attacks like the 2019 Easter Sunday incident, even with prior intelligence available.
In light of the favorable GTI assessment for Sri Lanka, Dr. Bandara cautioned against political maneuvers that could compromise national security. He pointed out the ongoing allegations of war crimes faced by Sri Lanka and stressed the importance of leveraging the GTI findings as part of the country’s defense narrative.
In related news, the Health Ministry has addressed the distressing situation of a female doctor who was reportedly assaulted in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. The identified suspect is an Army deserter, with ongoing police efforts aimed at his apprehension. This incident has raised safety concerns regarding female practitioners in public hospitals, prompting calls for stricter laws to safeguard them.
Additionally, Transport Minister Bimal Ratanayake has acknowledged that individuals whose properties were appropriated for the Ruwanpura Expressway project continue to incur land rates. He assured parliament that compensation is expected to be processed by the end of the year, highlighting the need for support from local parliamentarians to resolve this issue.
In summary, the Global Terrorism Index has positioned Sri Lanka among the nations with the lowest terrorism threats, due in large part to the efforts of the armed forces in combating terrorism. Nonetheless, there remains a pressing need for vigilance against potential threats and political actions that could destabilize national security. Concurrently, the alarming assault on a female doctor emphasizes ongoing safety concerns within the healthcare sector, compelling authorities to consider stronger legal protections for medical personnel.
Original Source: island.lk
