Several international schools have pulled out of the International School’s Athletics Competition (ISAC) after receiving a letter threatening time bombs.

The letter – purportedly from Lyceum College, Nugegoda – had warned students that time bombs would be detonated at the event.

There is no evidence at this stage if the letter is truly from Lyceum International School, but parents point to an incident last year, in which a grenade was found at the Lyceum College premises.

Competition is high at the International School’s Athletics Competition and parents opine the letter is an attempt to scare away the best international schools.

An emergency meeting between the heads of schools was held, at which it was decided that security at the International School’s Athletics Competition would be beefed up.

But several international schools have pulled out of the competition, citing safety issues.

A letter to parents from the Principal of Asian International School says the decision to withdraw is in consideration of students’ safety.

‘We are not happy with this situation and have decided to pull out of the International School’s Athletics Competition in considerations of the safety of our students and staff.’

Parents and students have expressed frustration at the situation – the competitors have spent months at training, they said.

Police has been informed and is investigating.

The International School’s Athletics Competition is for February  25, 26 and 27 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium,  in Homagama

Lyceum International College, Nugegoda is responsible for organising this year’s event,  having taken over the reins from Gateway College in 2016.