President Maithripala Sirisena, at a special meeting held together with the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials, said the Meethotamulla area must be cleared of illegal settlements.

“Some don’t want to move,” the President said. “But they have to be moved from there.”

“All illegal settlements must be removed,” he added firmly.

His comments come in the wake of the Meethotamulla tragedy in which 32 people lost their lives and several more were injured.