Ministry of Defence (MOD) requested the public to ignore rumours and news from unconfirmed sources relating to unexpected explosion at Kosgama Salawa Ammunition Storage unfortunate incident."
The Ministry of Defence expressing its deep regret over the unexpected explosion at Osama Salawa Ammunition Storage said the government has decided to compensate for any damage or injury, caused to any person or property due to the blast.
President Maithripala Sirisena who has been in constant touch with the authorities issued necessary instructions to the Secretary Defence and the tri-services, the MOD said.
The incident, occurred around 5.45 p.m. on Sunday (5) claimed the life of a soldier, injured one more. In addition, a few more civilians in the area too sustained injuries and were given treatment. Sri Lanka Army troops, strongly supported by Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy, Police, Special Task Force and fire-fighters, took all possible measures to minimize the loss of life and property during the incident. Likewise, medical teams of the tri-services have also been deployed in the area to assist the affected.
Moreover, the Commander of the Army has taken steps to appoint a Court of Inquiry shortly to ascertain the causes that led to the explosion on the directions of the National Security Council. A parallel investigation of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) too has already commenced, according to MOD.
"In the event any person comes across any of those shrapnel or remnants in affected areas, it is kindly advised that such information be immediately brought to the notice of the Sri Lanka Army without tampering them through the following telephone numbers of the Army Operational Room," the MOD statement said adding that the Directorate of Operations (Ops Room) can be reached at 0113818609, 0112434251.
The MOD recalled that a similar ammunition dump in Vavuniya, caught fire for three days as a result of a terrorist attack in 2009. Similarly, an explosion in an ammunition dump in the State of Maharashta in India on 31 May this year claimed 17 lives and injured many.