Demonstrators in Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 17) asked the government to uncover the real conspirators behind the terror attacks that rocked the country in 2019.

Over 260 people, including 42 foreigners from 14 countries, had been killed in simultaneous suicide bombings on three churches on Sri Lanka.

Approximately 500 people had been injured in the Islamist State-inspired terror attacks.

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The responsibility for the bombings was taken by the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat. It has links to ISIS.

Despite prior intelligence, former President Maithripala Sirisena and ex-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were unable to prevent the attacks.

This had sparked an outrage in Sri Lanka. The leaders had to face global criticism as well.

On the third anniversary of the terror attacks, people took to the streets of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, calling for justice for the victims.

Shiran Anton, whose wife and only daughter died in the attacks, told news agency Reuters, “My entire family is gone. Today, I live a very lonely life. I have no words to explain my agony.”

“I want to find out who the real culprits were behind this attack and why they did it,” he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/some-intelligence-officers-were-aware-of-this-incident-sri-lanka-minister-on-seriel-bomb-blast-212564">Also read |&nbsp;'Some intelligence officers were aware of this incident': Sri Lanka Minister on serial bomb blasts</a>

Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis since it gained independence. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have been accusing of corruption and nepotism.

Protestors are demanding their resignation after facing a severe shortage of necessities like fuel and food items.

The island nation, which has a population of 22 million people, has already defaulted on all of its external debt worth over $50 billion.

The country's central bank has increased its interest rate almost twice while middle-class families are facing staggering inflation.

Rajapaksa’s government is also being blamed for not taking any action against Sirisena and other top officials for failing to prevent the bombings.

Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal, has said ''the true conspirators in the attacks could still be at large.'' He also questioned the government over allegations that some members of state intelligence knew and had met with at least one attacker.

(With inputs from agencies)

Demonstrators in Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 17) asked the government to uncover the real conspirators behind the terror attacks that rocked the country in 2019. Over 260 people, including 42 foreigners from 14 countries, had been killed in simultaneous suicide bombings on three churches on Sri Lanka.

Demonstrators in Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 17) asked the government to uncover the real conspirators behind the terror attacks that rocked the country in 2019. Over 260 people, including 42 foreigners from 14 countries, had been killed in simultaneous suicide bombings on three churches on Sri Lanka. Approximately 500 people had been injured in the Islamist State-inspired terror attacks. The responsibility for the bombings was taken by the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat. It has links to ISIS. Despite prior intelligence, former President Maithripala Sirisena and ex-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were unable to prevent the attacks. This had sparked an outrage in Sri Lanka. The leaders had to face global criticism as well. On the third anniversary of the terror attacks, people took to the streets of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, calling for justice for the victims. Shiran Anton, whose wife and only daughter died in the attacks, told news agency Reuters, “My entire family is gone. Today, I live a very lonely life. I have no words to explain my agony.” “I want to find out who the real culprits were behind this attack and why they did it,” he said. Also read | 'Some intelligence officers were aware of this incident': Sri Lanka Minister on serial bomb blasts Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis since it gained independence. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have been accusing of corruption and nepotism. Protestors are demanding their resignation after facing a severe shortage of necessities like fuel and food items. The island nation, which has a population of 22 million people, has already defaulted on all of its external debt worth over $50 billion. The country's central bank has increased its interest rate almost twice while middle-class families are facing staggering inflation. Rajapaksa’s government is also being blamed for not taking any action against Sirisena and other top officials for failing to prevent the bombings. Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal, has said ''the true conspirators in the attacks could still be at large.'' He also questioned the government over allegations that some members of state intelligence knew and had met with at least one attacker. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lankan demonstrators ask Rajapaksa government to uncover real conspirators behind Easter terror attacks

&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terror attacks, planted a sapling at the President`s Secretariat here on Sunday.

&nbsp;He was welcomed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on his arrival at the Secretariat and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.&nbsp;

Showing India`s solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, he had earlier visited the St. Anthony`s Shrine, Kochchikade, which was one of the eight sites targeted by terrorists on April 21.&nbsp;

At least 250 people lost their lives in the devastating attacks, while hundreds were wounded. Modi is on the second leg of his two-day visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the first overseas bilateral engagement by him after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister for the second consecutive term.

&nbsp;He is now slated to hold a working lunch with the President of Sri Lanka, after which he would be meeting with Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation.

&nbsp;Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had received Modi at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo upon his arrival on Sunday.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terror attacks, planted a sapling at the President`s Secretariat here on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terror attacks, planted a sapling at the President`s Secretariat here on Sunday. He was welcomed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on his arrival at the Secretariat and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. Showing India`s solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, he had earlier visited the St. Anthony`s Shrine, Kochchikade, which was one of the eight sites targeted by terrorists on April 21. At least 250 people lost their lives in the devastating attacks, while hundreds were wounded. Modi is on the second leg of his two-day visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the first overseas bilateral engagement by him after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister for the second consecutive term. He is now slated to hold a working lunch with the President of Sri Lanka, after which he would be meeting with Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had received Modi at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo upon his arrival on Sunday.

Modi plants sapling at President's Secretariat in Colombo

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country.

In a joint statement issued on May 13, Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Karen Smith, UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, cited growing instances of religion-based violence and called for an end to "hateful attacks" directed towards the country`s Muslim minority.

Responding to the statement, Perera said that while noting their concerns, "we were taken aback by your oversimplified narrative of events that are nuanced and complex in nature", Colombo Page reported.

He said their prejudiced statement only serves to sensationalise issues at a time when the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-likely-to-miss-full-year-growth-target-after-easter-bombings-junior-minister-220476"> Sri Lankan government</a> is taking stringent measures to maintain law and order and quell unrest in the interest of safety of all in the wake of Easter terror attacks on April 21 that targeted several high-end hotels and churches, killing more than 250 people across the country.

"Ill-timed statements from responsible authorities will only serve to strengthen the hands of parties with vested interests and extremist elements determined to veer Sri Lanka from the path of peace and development. The need of the hour is for measured advice and support of experts of your good offices to help clarify matters in order for Sri Lanka and all her people to face new challenges arising from violent extremism," the envoy was quoted as saying.

"It is quite insensitive and ill-conceived that you did not consider it important to share your concerns with the Sri Lankan government first, before going public with your statement. This would have also been in keeping with the key objectives of your respective mandates, i.e.&nbsp;to provide early warning and advocacy," Perera added.

In the statement, the UN advisers stated that "it is in the interest of all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka, as well as the Government, the opposition, civil society and the security sector, to work collaboratively in taking appropriate action and immediately stop these hateful attacks."

"The country is trying to move forward from a traumatic period of inter-ethnic armed conflict, but these attacks are pushing Sri Lanka backwards. If not adequately dealt with, the recent violence has the potential to escalate even further," they warned.

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country.

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country. In a joint statement issued on May 13, Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Karen Smith, UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, cited growing instances of religion-based violence and called for an end to "hateful attacks" directed towards the country`s Muslim minority. Responding to the statement, Perera said that while noting their concerns, "we were taken aback by your oversimplified narrative of events that are nuanced and complex in nature", Colombo Page reported. He said their prejudiced statement only serves to sensationalise issues at a time when the Sri Lankan government is taking stringent measures to maintain law and order and quell unrest in the interest of safety of all in the wake of Easter terror attacks on April 21 that targeted several high-end hotels and churches, killing more than 250 people across the country. "Ill-timed statements from responsible authorities will only serve to strengthen the hands of parties with vested interests and extremist elements determined to veer Sri Lanka from the path of peace and development. The need of the hour is for measured advice and support of experts of your good offices to help clarify matters in order for Sri Lanka and all her people to face new challenges arising from violent extremism," the envoy was quoted as saying. "It is quite insensitive and ill-conceived that you did not consider it important to share your concerns with the Sri Lankan government first, before going public with your statement. This would have also been in keeping with the key objectives of your respective mandates, i.e. to provide early warning and advocacy," Perera added. In the statement, the UN advisers stated that "it is in the interest of all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka, as well as the Government, the opposition, civil society and the security sector, to work collaboratively in taking appropriate action and immediately stop these hateful attacks." "The country is trying to move forward from a traumatic period of inter-ethnic armed conflict, but these attacks are pushing Sri Lanka backwards. If not adequately dealt with, the recent violence has the potential to escalate even further," they warned.

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