Sri Lanka's former wartime defence chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said on Friday he would run for president in elections this year and would stop the spread of Islamist extremism by rebuilding the intelligence service and surveilling citizens.

Gotabaya, as he is popularly known, is the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the two led the country to a crushing defeat of separatist Tamil rebels a decade ago after a 26-year civil war.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-lowers-attacks-toll-to-253-as-some-double-counted-213518">More than 250 people were killed in bomb attacks</a> on hotels and churches on Easter Sunday that the government has blamed on Islamist militants and that Islamic State has claimed responsibility for.

Gotabaya said the attacks could have been prevented if the island's current government had not dismantled the intelligence network and extensive surveillance capabilities that he built up during the war and later on.

"Because the government was not prepared, that's why you see a panic situation," he said in an interview with Reuters.

Gotabaya said he would be a candidate "100 per cent", firming up months of speculation that he plans to run in the elections, which are due by December.

He was critical of the government's response to the bombings. Since the attacks, the government has struggled to provide clear information about how they were staged, who was behind them and how serious the threat is from Islamic State to the country.

"Various people are blaming various people, not giving exactly the details as to what happened, even people expect the names, what organisation did this, and how they came up to this level, that explanation was not given," he said.

On Friday, President Maithripala Sirisena said the government led by premier Ranil Wickremesinghe should take responsibility for the attacks and that prior information warning of attacks was not shared with him.

Wickremesinghe said earlier he was not advised about warnings that came from India's spy service either, presenting a picture of a government still in disarray since the two leaders fell out last October.

Gotabaya is facing lawsuits in the United States, where he is a dual citizen, over his role in the war and afterwards.

The South Africa-based International Truth and Justice Project, in partnership with US law firm Hausfeld, filed a civil case in California this month against Gotabaya on behalf of a Tamil torture survivor.

In a separate case, Ahimsa Wickrematunga, the daughter of murdered investigative editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, filed a complaint åfor damages in the same US District Court in California for allegedly instigating and authorising the extrajudicial killing of her father.

Gotabaya said the cases were baseless and only a "little distraction" as he prepared for the election campaign. He said he had asked US authorities to renounce his citizenship and that process was nearly done, clearing the way for his candidature.

'Dismantle the networks'

He said that if he won, his immediate focus would to tackle the threat from radical Islam and to rebuild the security set-up.

"It's a serious problem, you have to go deep into the groups, dismantle the networks," he said, adding he would give the military a mandate to collect intelligence from the ground and to mount surveillance of groups turning to extremism.

Gotabaya said that a military intelligence cell he had set up in 2011 of 5,000 people, some of them with Arabic language skills and that was tracking the bent towards extremist ideology some of the Islamist groups were taking in eastern Sri Lanka was disbanded by the current government.

"They did not give priority to national security, there was a mix-up. They were talking about ethnic reconciliation, then they were talking about human rights issues, they were talking about individual freedoms," he said.

President Sirisena's government sought to forge reconciliation with minority Tamils and close the wounds of the war and launched investigations into allegations of rights abuse and torture against military officers.

Officials said many of these secret intelligence cells were disbanded because they faced allegations of abuse, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

Muslims make up nearly 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's population of 22 million, which is predominantly Buddhist.

Sri Lanka's former wartime defence chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said on Friday he would run for president in elections this year and would stop the spread of Islamist extremism by rebuilding the intelligence service and surveilling citizens.

Sri Lanka's former wartime defence chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said on Friday he would run for president in elections this year and would stop the spread of Islamist extremism by rebuilding the intelligence service and surveilling citizens. Gotabaya, as he is popularly known, is the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the two led the country to a crushing defeat of separatist Tamil rebels a decade ago after a 26-year civil war. More than 250 people were killed in bomb attacks on hotels and churches on Easter Sunday that the government has blamed on Islamist militants and that Islamic State has claimed responsibility for. Gotabaya said the attacks could have been prevented if the island's current government had not dismantled the intelligence network and extensive surveillance capabilities that he built up during the war and later on. "Because the government was not prepared, that's why you see a panic situation," he said in an interview with Reuters. Gotabaya said he would be a candidate "100 per cent", firming up months of speculation that he plans to run in the elections, which are due by December. He was critical of the government's response to the bombings. Since the attacks, the government has struggled to provide clear information about how they were staged, who was behind them and how serious the threat is from Islamic State to the country. "Various people are blaming various people, not giving exactly the details as to what happened, even people expect the names, what organisation did this, and how they came up to this level, that explanation was not given," he said. On Friday, President Maithripala Sirisena said the government led by premier Ranil Wickremesinghe should take responsibility for the attacks and that prior information warning of attacks was not shared with him. Wickremesinghe said earlier he was not advised about warnings that came from India's spy service either, presenting a picture of a government still in disarray since the two leaders fell out last October. Gotabaya is facing lawsuits in the United States, where he is a dual citizen, over his role in the war and afterwards. The South Africa-based International Truth and Justice Project, in partnership with US law firm Hausfeld, filed a civil case in California this month against Gotabaya on behalf of a Tamil torture survivor. In a separate case, Ahimsa Wickrematunga, the daughter of murdered investigative editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, filed a complaint åfor damages in the same US District Court in California for allegedly instigating and authorising the extrajudicial killing of her father. Gotabaya said the cases were baseless and only a "little distraction" as he prepared for the election campaign. He said he had asked US authorities to renounce his citizenship and that process was nearly done, clearing the way for his candidature. 'Dismantle the networks' He said that if he won, his immediate focus would to tackle the threat from radical Islam and to rebuild the security set-up. "It's a serious problem, you have to go deep into the groups, dismantle the networks," he said, adding he would give the military a mandate to collect intelligence from the ground and to mount surveillance of groups turning to extremism. Gotabaya said that a military intelligence cell he had set up in 2011 of 5,000 people, some of them with Arabic language skills and that was tracking the bent towards extremist ideology some of the Islamist groups were taking in eastern Sri Lanka was disbanded by the current government. "They did not give priority to national security, there was a mix-up. They were talking about ethnic reconciliation, then they were talking about human rights issues, they were talking about individual freedoms," he said. President Sirisena's government sought to forge reconciliation with minority Tamils and close the wounds of the war and launched investigations into allegations of rights abuse and torture against military officers. Officials said many of these secret intelligence cells were disbanded because they faced allegations of abuse, including torture and extrajudicial killings. Muslims make up nearly 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's population of 22 million, which is predominantly Buddhist.

Sri Lankan ex-defence chief Gotabaya says will run for president, tackle radical Islam

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/15-dead-as-tips-lead-sri-lanka-forces-to-islamist-hideout-213951">Easter Day attacks</a> in the country that killed over 250 people.

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena's media division in a statement said, "President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, in terms of powers vested in him as the under Emergency Regulations No. 01 of 2019, has taken steps to ban the organizations National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) &amp; Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka after Easter blasts".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Breaking: Sri Lanka bans, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) &amp; Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), groups responsible for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaAttacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaAttacks</a> on sunday <a href="https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g">https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1122147449273864192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Sri Lankan government has also approved a compensation package for those impacted by the terror attacks. The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to the next of the kin of those who died or anyone suffering lifetime disability and Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sri Lankan govt's compensation package for those impacted by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaAttacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaAttacks</a> 
--Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to next of the kin of those who died 
--Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries <a href="https://t.co/yXcctQJNmD">pic.twitter.com/yXcctQJNmD</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1122154312539336706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Need to work more closely: India

Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in an interview to WION, said, "we have a very good understanding of sharing of information and intelligence. It's a natural course of understanding. Despite that, incidents take place, we need to work more closely." Rijiju was responding to a query on the lapses despite intelligence information being shared with Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Calling the incident "disturbing", he said, if "anything happens in Sri Lanka it will have some kind of ramifications in India too. Same as anything happens in India will have its impact on its neighbours. Naturally, we have to be more aware."

US helps Sri Lanka

The Americans are also helping Sri Lankans in the aftermath of the incident. The US embassy in Sri Lanka in a statement said, "US experts are already working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on fulfilling short term, specific objectives related to the recent attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice."

United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is helping Sri Lankan authorities probe the terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-nationals-are-advised-not-to-undertake-non-essential-travel-to-sri-lanka-ministry-of-external-affairs-issues-advisory-213929">travel advisory for Indian nationals to Sri Lanka</a> and directed people "not to undertake non-essential travel".&nbsp;

The MEA, in a release, stated that those who would need to travel to the neighbouring country and are not in a situation to avoid it can contact the High Commission of India in Colombo.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's Easter Day attacks in the country that killed over 250 people.

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's Easter Day attacks in the country that killed over 250 people. Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena's media division in a statement said, "President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, in terms of powers vested in him as the under Emergency Regulations No. 01 of 2019, has taken steps to ban the organizations National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) & Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka after Easter blasts". Breaking: Sri Lanka bans, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) & Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), groups responsible for #SriLankaAttacks on sunday https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 27, 2019 × The Sri Lankan government has also approved a compensation package for those impacted by the terror attacks. The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to the next of the kin of those who died or anyone suffering lifetime disability and Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries. Sri Lankan govt's compensation package for those impacted by #SriLankaAttacks --Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to next of the kin of those who died --Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries pic.twitter.com/yXcctQJNmD — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 27, 2019 × Need to work more closely: India Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in an interview to WION, said, "we have a very good understanding of sharing of information and intelligence. It's a natural course of understanding. Despite that, incidents take place, we need to work more closely." Rijiju was responding to a query on the lapses despite intelligence information being shared with Sri Lanka. Calling the incident "disturbing", he said, if "anything happens in Sri Lanka it will have some kind of ramifications in India too. Same as anything happens in India will have its impact on its neighbours. Naturally, we have to be more aware." US helps Sri Lanka The Americans are also helping Sri Lankans in the aftermath of the incident. The US embassy in Sri Lanka in a statement said, "US experts are already working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on fulfilling short term, specific objectives related to the recent attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice." United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is helping Sri Lankan authorities probe the terror attack. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals to Sri Lanka and directed people "not to undertake non-essential travel". The MEA, in a release, stated that those who would need to travel to the neighbouring country and are not in a situation to avoid it can contact the High Commission of India in Colombo.

Sri Lanka blasts: President Sirisena bans groups responsible for ghastly suicide bombings; India says need to work closely

The US State Department on Friday raised the level of its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-fears-up-to-15-billion-tourism-losses-due-to-attack-213724">travel warning for Sri Lanka</a>, urging citizens to reconsider visiting the island in the wake of a devastating series of suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people.

The department has "ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in kindergarten through 12th grade," it said in a statement, adding that it had also authorized non-emergency personnel to leave.

"Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka," it said.

"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas."

At least 253 people were killed and hundreds more injured when suicide bombers struck three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday.

Dozens of foreigners died in the attacks and the government said Friday it expected the number of overseas tourists to fall by 30 per cent this year, at a cost of $1.5 billion in revenues.

The US State Department on Friday raised the level of its travel warning for Sri Lanka, urging citizens to reconsider visiting the island in the wake of a devastating series of suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people.

The US State Department on Friday raised the level of its travel warning for Sri Lanka, urging citizens to reconsider visiting the island in the wake of a devastating series of suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people. The department has "ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in kindergarten through 12th grade," it said in a statement, adding that it had also authorized non-emergency personnel to leave. "Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka," it said. "Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas." At least 253 people were killed and hundreds more injured when suicide bombers struck three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday. Dozens of foreigners died in the attacks and the government said Friday it expected the number of overseas tourists to fall by 30 per cent this year, at a cost of $1.5 billion in revenues.

US urges citizens to 'reconsider travel' to Sri Lanka over terror threat

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government.

Sirisena, facing criticism over the failure to thwart the attacks, blamed the inspector general of police Pujith Jayasundara and defence secretary Hemesiri Fernando for not sharing advance warnings of the attacks with him.

Fernando resigned earlier in the week, but Jayasundara was holding on, the two officials said.&nbsp;

"He has refused to resign despite the president's request," one of the sources said. Under Sri Lanka's constitution, only parliament can remove the police chief through a lengthy process designed to shield officers from political interference.

The attacks in which more than 250 people were killed have exposed the divisions between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, with both saying they had not seen warnings given by India's spy service about impending strikes on churches and the Indian embassy including one just hours before the attacks.

Jayasundara, the police chief, was handpicked for the job by Wickremesinghe. The first source at the president`s office said Sirisena was still expecting him to turn in his papers. The second source confirmed the situation. 
Both sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media.

Jayasundara did not answer his phone or email seeking comments. An officer at the police department said the police chief had not resigned but did not come to work on Saturday. 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government.

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government. Sirisena, facing criticism over the failure to thwart the attacks, blamed the inspector general of police Pujith Jayasundara and defence secretary Hemesiri Fernando for not sharing advance warnings of the attacks with him. Fernando resigned earlier in the week, but Jayasundara was holding on, the two officials said. "He has refused to resign despite the president's request," one of the sources said. Under Sri Lanka's constitution, only parliament can remove the police chief through a lengthy process designed to shield officers from political interference. The attacks in which more than 250 people were killed have exposed the divisions between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, with both saying they had not seen warnings given by India's spy service about impending strikes on churches and the Indian embassy including one just hours before the attacks. Jayasundara, the police chief, was handpicked for the job by Wickremesinghe. The first source at the president`s office said Sirisena was still expecting him to turn in his papers. The second source confirmed the situation. Both sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media. Jayasundara did not answer his phone or email seeking comments. An officer at the police department said the police chief had not resigned but did not come to work on Saturday.

Sri Lanka police chief refusing to quit despite president Sirisena's request: Report

Several countries have issued warnings to&nbsp;their citizens in Sri Lanka even as the United States has not only asked family members of its diplomats to leave the country but also is working&nbsp;overtime to make sure it happens.&nbsp;

In a release, the US embassy in Sri Lanka said, "Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade."

The US State Department also authorized the "voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members."

Washington has warned that terror groups are plotting a possible attack in the Island country. The possible location could be "tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals"

France has issued an advisory to its citizens while Belgium has asked its citizen to "avoid gatherings, worship services and public places" and limit "movements and stay indoors where possible"

The United Kingdom has already updated its travel advisory to the country.

UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised "against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka" due to the situation in the aftermath of the terror attack which took place on Sunday in which over 250 people died.

Australia in its travel advisory to its citizens said, "Terrorists are likely to carry out further attacks in Sri Lanka." and these "attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.''

European Union diplomats are staying in the country and continuing their work supporting its citizens. In fact, several EU member states have sent reinforcements to Colombo to handle the situation.

Russia has asked its citizens to refrain from visiting Sri Lanka.

Indian mission hasn't issued an advisory but is making sure that all Indian citizens are safe in the island nation.

The mission has also facilitated Indians, who in the aftermath of the terror attack, wanted to leave the country. Security of the Indian mission has been beefed up as it was also on the target by the terrorist.

The neighbouring, Maldives advised its citizens in Colombo to cooperate with the police and army as they conduct the searches and remain indoors during curfew hours. It has asked them to stay away from gatherings.

Several countries have issued warnings to their citizens in Sri Lanka even as the United States has not only asked family members of its diplomats to leave the country but also is working overtime to make sure it happens.

Several countries have issued warnings to their citizens in Sri Lanka even as the United States has not only asked family members of its diplomats to leave the country but also is working overtime to make sure it happens. In a release, the US embassy in Sri Lanka said, "Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade." The US State Department also authorized the "voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members." Washington has warned that terror groups are plotting a possible attack in the Island country. The possible location could be "tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals" France has issued an advisory to its citizens while Belgium has asked its citizen to "avoid gatherings, worship services and public places" and limit "movements and stay indoors where possible" The United Kingdom has already updated its travel advisory to the country. UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised "against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka" due to the situation in the aftermath of the terror attack which took place on Sunday in which over 250 people died. Australia in its travel advisory to its citizens said, "Terrorists are likely to carry out further attacks in Sri Lanka." and these "attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.'' European Union diplomats are staying in the country and continuing their work supporting its citizens. In fact, several EU member states have sent reinforcements to Colombo to handle the situation. Russia has asked its citizens to refrain from visiting Sri Lanka. Indian mission hasn't issued an advisory but is making sure that all Indian citizens are safe in the island nation. The mission has also facilitated Indians, who in the aftermath of the terror attack, wanted to leave the country. Security of the Indian mission has been beefed up as it was also on the target by the terrorist. The neighbouring, Maldives advised its citizens in Colombo to cooperate with the police and army as they conduct the searches and remain indoors during curfew hours. It has asked them to stay away from gatherings.

Sri Lanka attacks: US asks family of diplomats to leave; other missions issue warning 

A gun battle erupted during a search and cordon operation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-photos-of-suspects-of-church-hotel-bombing-that-killed-nearly-250-213584">Sri Lanka's eastern province</a>. Lankan soldiers opened fire on suspected terrorists, reports said.

Sri Lanka's military spokesman said gun battle with suspects was still&nbsp;underway.

An explosion was&nbsp;reported from Sainthamaruthu in Kalmunai. Soldiers went in to investigate an explosion in the town of Ampara Sainthamaruthu in&nbsp;Batticaloa east, during a search operation, Reuters reported the spokesperson as saying, and were fired upon.

Local media reports said the military was searching for a makeshift bomb factory when the gun battle started.

The police found various apparatus to be used in making explosives including bags of metal balls, gelignite sticks and fuel during the raid.

An Islamic State(IS) flag was also found by soldiers.

Earlier in the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/sri-lankan-president-confident-armed-forces-could-destroy-group-behind-bombings-213700">President Maithripala Sirisena </a>had said the police were looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State terrorist group over the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels that killed at least 253 people.

"We now have info that there are about 140 people in Sri Lanka linked to the Islamic State. We can and we will eradicate all of them very soon," Sirisena said, announcing that there would also be new legislation to ban extremist groups.

Sirisena told reporters some Sri Lankan youths had been involved with the extremist group since 2013, and that top defence and police chiefs had not shared information with him about the impending attacks.

Several countries including Israel, Australia and Britain have warned their citizens against visiting Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks.

Authorities on Thursday had reduced the death toll of the terror attacks&nbsp;from 360 dead to 253, saying badly mutilated bodies were double counted.

A gun battle erupted during a search and cordon operation in Sri Lanka's eastern province. Lankan soldiers opened fire on suspected terrorists, reports said. Sri Lanka's military spokesman said gun battle with suspects was still underway.

A gun battle erupted during a search and cordon operation in Sri Lanka's eastern province. Lankan soldiers opened fire on suspected terrorists, reports said. Sri Lanka's military spokesman said gun battle with suspects was still underway. An explosion was reported from Sainthamaruthu in Kalmunai. Soldiers went in to investigate an explosion in the town of Ampara Sainthamaruthu in Batticaloa east, during a search operation, Reuters reported the spokesperson as saying, and were fired upon. Local media reports said the military was searching for a makeshift bomb factory when the gun battle started. The police found various apparatus to be used in making explosives including bags of metal balls, gelignite sticks and fuel during the raid. An Islamic State(IS) flag was also found by soldiers. Earlier in the day, President Maithripala Sirisena had said the police were looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State terrorist group over the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels that killed at least 253 people. "We now have info that there are about 140 people in Sri Lanka linked to the Islamic State. We can and we will eradicate all of them very soon," Sirisena said, announcing that there would also be new legislation to ban extremist groups. Sirisena told reporters some Sri Lankan youths had been involved with the extremist group since 2013, and that top defence and police chiefs had not shared information with him about the impending attacks. Several countries including Israel, Australia and Britain have warned their citizens against visiting Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks. Authorities on Thursday had reduced the death toll of the terror attacks from 360 dead to 253, saying badly mutilated bodies were double counted.

Gun battle erupts between soldiers, suspected terrorists in eastern Sri Lanka

For years, Sri Lanka's Muslim community warned authorities about a firebrand cleric. Now it seems Zahran Hashim may have played a key role in one of the worst attacks in the country's history.

A video released on Tuesday by the Islamic State group, which earlier claimed responsibility for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-photos-of-suspects-of-church-hotel-bombing-that-killed-nearly-250-213584">Easter attacks</a> that killed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-lowers-attacks-toll-to-253-as-some-double-counted-213518">over 250 people</a>, appears to prominently feature Hashim.

He appears to be the round-faced cleric in the footage - the only one of the eight figures depicted whose face is uncovered.

Dressed in a black tunic headscarf and carrying a rifle, Hashim is seen leading seven purported attackers in a pledge of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-says-every-indication-islamic-state-inspired-sri-lanka-attacks-cbs-213321">allegiance to IS chief</a> Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

The other seven people in the video all wear the same black tunics but with their faces obscured by black-and-white checkered scarves.

Watch: Sri Lanka's politicians engage in a bitter blame game

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-country-is-in-crisis-but-sri-lankas-politicians-engage-in-a-bitter-blame-game-213394/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sri Lanka's government had already pointed the finger at Hashim indirectly, calling the little-known Islamist group he was believed to lead - the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/national-thowheeth-jamathntj-police-probe-sri-lanka-local-terror-groups-international-link-212667">National Thowheeth Jama'ath</a> - its prime suspect.

Hashim was identified, albeit with his name misspelled as Hashmi, by police as heading NTJ.

But the video released by IS was the first concrete evidence of the apparently central role played by the Sri Lankan cleric in the Easter attacks.

'A loner'

Hashim was a virtual unknown before the onslaught - even inside Sri Lanka.

He had attracted several thousand followers on several social media sites, including YouTube and Facebook, where he posted incendiary sermons.

In one, the cleric with an unkempt black beard, delivers an extremist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/muslims-flee-christians-grieve-in-sri-lankan-town-torn-by-violence-213347">diatribe against non-Muslims</a> against the crudely photoshopped backdrop of flags in flames.

Hilmy Ahamed, vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, said he had gone to local authorities with concerns about Hashim three years ago.

"This person was a loner and he had radicalised young people in the guise of conducting Koran classes," he said.

"But nobody thought these people were capable of carrying out an attack of such magnitude."

Ahamed said Hashim, who has also gone by the names Mohamed Zahran and Moulavi Hashim, was around 40 years old and from the east coast region of Batticaloa.

The only one of the attacks on Sunday to hit outside of the Colombo area was at the Zion Church in Batticaloa.

"Zahran belonged to an average Muslim middle-class family. He was a drop-out," said Ahamed, adding that the cleric had studied at an Islamic college in Kattankudy, a Muslim-majority city in eastern Sri Lanka.

He was considered a menace by the local Muslim community and caused trouble at Kattankudy's Thowheeth mosque.

"The mosque saw continuous conflict with the traditional mosque goers. Once Zahran took a sword out to kill people belonging to the traditional Muslim mosque," Ahamed said.

Local media said Hashim formed the NTJ in Kattankudy in 2014.

Sri Lankan officials are still investigating to what degree IS may have helped the attackers, but Ahamed said Hashim was known by the community to have international ties.

"All his videos have been uploaded from India. He uses boats of smugglers to travel back and forth from southern India," he said.

Watch: CCTV footage shows suspected Sri Lanka bomber pacing in hotel restaurant

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cctv-footage-shows-suspected-sri-lanka-bomber-pacing-in-hotel-restaurant-213372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Today, the Sri Lankan President said Maithripala Sirisena said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leader-of-the-group-committed-suicide-at-shangri-la-hotel-police-213412">Hashim has been killed</a>. "What intelligence agencies have told me is that Zahran was killed during the Shangri-La attack," President Maithripala Sirisena told reporters.

He added that Hashim led the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/days-after-terror-strikes-sri-lanka-remains-on-edge-213482">attack against the high-end hotel</a> and was accompanied by a second bomber, identified only as "Ilham".

For years, Sri Lanka's Muslim community warned authorities about a firebrand cleric. Now it seems Zahran Hashim may have played a key role in one of the worst attacks in the country's history.

For years, Sri Lanka's Muslim community warned authorities about a firebrand cleric. Now it seems Zahran Hashim may have played a key role in one of the worst attacks in the country's history. A video released on Tuesday by the Islamic State group, which earlier claimed responsibility for the Easter attacks that killed over 250 people, appears to prominently feature Hashim. He appears to be the round-faced cleric in the footage - the only one of the eight figures depicted whose face is uncovered. Dressed in a black tunic headscarf and carrying a rifle, Hashim is seen leading seven purported attackers in a pledge of allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The other seven people in the video all wear the same black tunics but with their faces obscured by black-and-white checkered scarves. Watch: Sri Lanka's politicians engage in a bitter blame game Sri Lanka's government had already pointed the finger at Hashim indirectly, calling the little-known Islamist group he was believed to lead - the National Thowheeth Jama'ath - its prime suspect. Hashim was identified, albeit with his name misspelled as Hashmi, by police as heading NTJ. But the video released by IS was the first concrete evidence of the apparently central role played by the Sri Lankan cleric in the Easter attacks. 'A loner' Hashim was a virtual unknown before the onslaught - even inside Sri Lanka. He had attracted several thousand followers on several social media sites, including YouTube and Facebook, where he posted incendiary sermons. In one, the cleric with an unkempt black beard, delivers an extremist diatribe against non-Muslims against the crudely photoshopped backdrop of flags in flames. Hilmy Ahamed, vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, said he had gone to local authorities with concerns about Hashim three years ago. "This person was a loner and he had radicalised young people in the guise of conducting Koran classes," he said. "But nobody thought these people were capable of carrying out an attack of such magnitude." Ahamed said Hashim, who has also gone by the names Mohamed Zahran and Moulavi Hashim, was around 40 years old and from the east coast region of Batticaloa. The only one of the attacks on Sunday to hit outside of the Colombo area was at the Zion Church in Batticaloa. "Zahran belonged to an average Muslim middle-class family. He was a drop-out," said Ahamed, adding that the cleric had studied at an Islamic college in Kattankudy, a Muslim-majority city in eastern Sri Lanka. He was considered a menace by the local Muslim community and caused trouble at Kattankudy's Thowheeth mosque. "The mosque saw continuous conflict with the traditional mosque goers. Once Zahran took a sword out to kill people belonging to the traditional Muslim mosque," Ahamed said. Local media said Hashim formed the NTJ in Kattankudy in 2014. Sri Lankan officials are still investigating to what degree IS may have helped the attackers, but Ahamed said Hashim was known by the community to have international ties. "All his videos have been uploaded from India. He uses boats of smugglers to travel back and forth from southern India," he said. Watch: CCTV footage shows suspected Sri Lanka bomber pacing in hotel restaurant Today, the Sri Lankan President said Maithripala Sirisena said that Hashim has been killed. "What intelligence agencies have told me is that Zahran was killed during the Shangri-La attack," President Maithripala Sirisena told reporters. He added that Hashim led the attack against the high-end hotel and was accompanied by a second bomber, identified only as "Ilham".

Zahran Hashim: Radical Islamist linked to Sri Lanka blasts

Britain on Thursday warned against "all but essential travel" to Sri Lanka following the terror attacks on Sunday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-lowers-attacks-toll-to-253-as-some-double-counted-213518">claimed 253 lives according to the latest toll</a>.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the current evolving security situation following attacks on 21 April 2019," the ministry said on its website.

It added that terrorists "are very likely" to try to carry out further attacks, which "could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners."

"The extent of any continued threat following the 21 April attacks remains unclear," it said.&nbsp;

The Netherlands later also updated its travel advice for Sri Lanka, telling Dutch citizens they should only go there "if necessary".

Eight British nationals and three with Dutch citizenship were among those killed in the deadly Easter bombings that targeted tourists and Christian worshippers.

Over 250,000 Britons visited Sri Lanka in 2018, making it the third-highest source of tourism behind India and China, with the two countries retaining strong links since Sri Lanka became independent of colonial rule in 1948.

The British government told its citizens already in the country to "remain vigilant, keep up to date with developments, follow the advice of local security authorities... keep a low profile and avoid crowded public places."

"All of the attacks on 21 April were carried out either in places of worship or in places where foreign visitors were affected.

"Any further attacks may be targeted against similar locations," it warned.

A small team of specialist officers from Britain's Metropolitan Police have been deployed to Sri Lanka to support families of victims and repatriate their bodies, the force said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The police said they were not helping with the investigation "at this stage", but added that "should any request come... then this will be considered accordingly."

Prime Minister May offered help in the investigation to Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe during a telephone call on Tuesday.

Britain on Thursday warned against "all but essential travel" to Sri Lanka following the terror attacks on Sunday that claimed 253 lives according to the latest toll.

Britain on Thursday warned against "all but essential travel" to Sri Lanka following the terror attacks on Sunday that claimed 253 lives according to the latest toll. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the current evolving security situation following attacks on 21 April 2019," the ministry said on its website. It added that terrorists "are very likely" to try to carry out further attacks, which "could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners." "The extent of any continued threat following the 21 April attacks remains unclear," it said. The Netherlands later also updated its travel advice for Sri Lanka, telling Dutch citizens they should only go there "if necessary". Eight British nationals and three with Dutch citizenship were among those killed in the deadly Easter bombings that targeted tourists and Christian worshippers. Over 250,000 Britons visited Sri Lanka in 2018, making it the third-highest source of tourism behind India and China, with the two countries retaining strong links since Sri Lanka became independent of colonial rule in 1948. The British government told its citizens already in the country to "remain vigilant, keep up to date with developments, follow the advice of local security authorities... keep a low profile and avoid crowded public places." "All of the attacks on 21 April were carried out either in places of worship or in places where foreign visitors were affected. "Any further attacks may be targeted against similar locations," it warned. A small team of specialist officers from Britain's Metropolitan Police have been deployed to Sri Lanka to support families of victims and repatriate their bodies, the force said on Tuesday. The police said they were not helping with the investigation "at this stage", but added that "should any request come... then this will be considered accordingly." Prime Minister May offered help in the investigation to Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe during a telephone call on Tuesday.

Britain warns against 'all but essential travel' to Sri Lanka

Following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-photos-of-suspects-of-church-hotel-bombing-that-killed-nearly-250-213584">deadly attacks in Sri Lanka </a>that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism.

Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.5 billion this year.

"Tourism will be the worst affected. We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange", Samaraweera told reporters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/survivors-of-sri-lankan-bombings-mourn-empty-future-without-loved-ones-213674">Survivors of Sri Lankan bombings mourn empty future without loved ones</a>

Samaraweera said the country could take up to two years to fully recover from Sunday's attacks, which devastated three luxury hotels and three Christian churches and killed 253 people killed, among them many foreigners.

"Typically, countries that suffer isolated IS-style attacks see tourism recovering within one-to-two years, as long as root causes are addressed and security measures taken are well communicated," the minister said.

He pointed to Belgium, France, Spain and Tunisia as countries which recovered their tourism markets within a short time.

Samaraweera said tourism was emerging as Sri Lanka's success story when Sunday's blast shattered hopes of reaching a revenue of $5.0 billion, up from last year's $4.4 billion.

He said he was hoping to unveil a package of concessions to help the tourism sector overcome&nbsp;the impact of the suicide bombings.

Most of the deluxe hotels in Colombo have stepped up security and curtailed bookings amid fears of more attacks.

Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday revised the toll from Easter bombings down to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted.

Sri Lankan authorities have taken 76 people in custody in connection to their role in the attacks.

The authorities have released photographs of six suspects, including three women, wanted for their involvement in the deadly Easter attacks.

Police on Thursday released the names and pictures of the suspects and sought information regarding them from the public.

Nine suicide bombers, believed to be the members of a local terror group called National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Following the deadly attacks in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism. Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.

Following the deadly attacks in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of around 250 people, the country's finance minister on Friday feared a decline in its tourism. Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday that the country fears its lucrative tourism industry could decline by up to 30 per cent and incur losses of $1.5 billion this year. "Tourism will be the worst affected. We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange", Samaraweera told reporters. Also read: Survivors of Sri Lankan bombings mourn empty future without loved ones Samaraweera said the country could take up to two years to fully recover from Sunday's attacks, which devastated three luxury hotels and three Christian churches and killed 253 people killed, among them many foreigners. "Typically, countries that suffer isolated IS-style attacks see tourism recovering within one-to-two years, as long as root causes are addressed and security measures taken are well communicated," the minister said. He pointed to Belgium, France, Spain and Tunisia as countries which recovered their tourism markets within a short time. Samaraweera said tourism was emerging as Sri Lanka's success story when Sunday's blast shattered hopes of reaching a revenue of $5.0 billion, up from last year's $4.4 billion. He said he was hoping to unveil a package of concessions to help the tourism sector overcome the impact of the suicide bombings. Most of the deluxe hotels in Colombo have stepped up security and curtailed bookings amid fears of more attacks. Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday revised the toll from Easter bombings down to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted. Sri Lankan authorities have taken 76 people in custody in connection to their role in the attacks. The authorities have released photographs of six suspects, including three women, wanted for their involvement in the deadly Easter attacks. Police on Thursday released the names and pictures of the suspects and sought information regarding them from the public. Nine suicide bombers, believed to be the members of a local terror group called National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka fears up to $1.5 billion tourism losses due to attack

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers were being deployed across the Indian Ocean island state to carry out searches and provide security for religious centres, the military said on Friday.

In the meeting, Maithripala Sirisena told religious leaders that the government is in touch with foreign intelligence on the investigations. Police have detained at least 76 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, in their investigations so far.

Islamic State has provided no evidence to back its claim that it was behind the attacks. If true, it would be one of the worst attacks carried out by the group outside Iraq and Syria.

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels.

Sri Lanka's president met leaders from all religious group on Thursday as he assured the situation in the country is under control as police are looking for 140 people believed to have links with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels. Nearly 10,000 soldiers were being deployed across the Indian Ocean island state to carry out searches and provide security for religious centres, the military said on Friday. In the meeting, Maithripala Sirisena told religious leaders that the government is in touch with foreign intelligence on the investigations. Police have detained at least 76 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, in their investigations so far. Islamic State has provided no evidence to back its claim that it was behind the attacks. If true, it would be one of the worst attacks carried out by the group outside Iraq and Syria.

Sri Lankan president 'confident' armed forces could 'destroy' group behind bombings

Fresh details are emerging about SL terror attacks. Perpetrators are educated, wealthy & well-travelled.

Sri Lanka on Easter Massacre: Probe continues

A blast was heard on Thursday from vacant land behind the magistrates' court in the town of Pugoda, 40 km (25 miles) east of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-says-every-indication-islamic-state-inspired-sri-lanka-attacks-cbs-213321">capital Colombo</a>, police and local residents said.

Police said they were investigating the explosion, which came at a time of high tension in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday suicide bomber attacks on the island state that killed 3<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-blasts-two-colombo-suicide-bombers-identified-as-millionaire-businessmans-sons-213324">59 people and wounded about 500.&nbsp;</a>

A blast was heard on Thursday from vacant land behind the magistrates' court in the town of Pugoda, 40 km (25 miles) east of the capital Colombo, police and local residents said.

A blast was heard on Thursday from vacant land behind the magistrates' court in the town of Pugoda, 40 km (25 miles) east of the capital Colombo, police and local residents said. Police said they were investigating the explosion, which came at a time of high tension in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday suicide bomber attacks on the island state that killed 359 people and wounded about 500.

Sri Lanka attacks: Fresh blast in Pugoda town, near Colombo

A day after Sri Lankan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leader-of-the-group-committed-suicide-at-shangri-la-hotel-police-213412">President Maithripala Sirisena</a> asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit, Hemasiri Fernando, the defence secretary resigned in the wake of terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday which killed at least 359 people.

Fernando&nbsp;said that while there had been no failure on his own part, he was taking responsibility for failures of some institutions he headed as the secretary of defence.

The defence secretary added&nbsp;that security agencies were actively responding to intelligence they had about the possibility of attacks before they were launched.

"We were working on that. All those agencies were working on that," he said.

Lakshman Kiriella, minister of public enterprise had told Parliament on Wednesday that the&nbsp;information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from Indian intelligence on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely.

"Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate&nbsp;this."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cctv-footage-shows-suspected-sri-lanka-bomber-pacing-in-hotel-restaurant-213372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had confirmed earlier that hat India had offered specific intelligence about an impending attack.

India had warned Sri Lanka of jihadi threat, the PM had confirmed.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan PM added that "there has always been sharing of information between our two countries with regard to terrorism. There was specific intelligence on this".

At least 36 foreigners have been killed in the attack, with India accounting for 11 victims - the highest death toll so far. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said 14 foreigners were still missing.

Meanwhile, a senior priest said all of Sri Lanka's Catholic churches have been ordered to stay closed and suspend services until security improves after deadly Easter bombings.

Amid continued heavy security, residents go about their daily lives but many shops remained closed near the blast site. Sri Lankan and international authorities have also focused their investigations on international links to domestic Islamist groups - National Thawheed Jama'ut and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim.

Islamic State(IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack two days ago.

Minister for Muslim religious affairs Abdul haleem Mohammed Hashim has issued a letter to Muslim calling not to attend Friday Jummah prayers.

In a letter, he said, "As a sign of solitary with the Catholic community &amp; a show of protest against the barbaric act of the ruthless terrorist I appeal to my Muslim brothers to avoid gathering for congregational prayers (on Friday) but to pray in homes instead, for peace and security of our motherland."

Adding, "we stand with Christian brothers and sisters during their times of grief"

US embassy in Sri Lanka has issued advisory. Quoting Sri Lankan authorities, the embassy said, govt is reporting that additional attacks may occur targeting places of worship and asked Americans to avoid specific areas over the weekend, starting Friday the April 26th&nbsp;through Sunday, April 28th.

A day after Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit, Hemasiri Fernando, the defence secretary resigned in the wake of terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday which killed at least 359 people.

A day after Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit, Hemasiri Fernando, the defence secretary resigned in the wake of terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday which killed at least 359 people. Fernando said that while there had been no failure on his own part, he was taking responsibility for failures of some institutions he headed as the secretary of defence. The defence secretary added that security agencies were actively responding to intelligence they had about the possibility of attacks before they were launched. "We were working on that. All those agencies were working on that," he said. Lakshman Kiriella, minister of public enterprise had told Parliament on Wednesday that the information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from Indian intelligence on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely. "Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate this." Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had confirmed earlier that hat India had offered specific intelligence about an impending attack. India had warned Sri Lanka of jihadi threat, the PM had confirmed. The Sri Lankan PM added that "there has always been sharing of information between our two countries with regard to terrorism. There was specific intelligence on this". At least 36 foreigners have been killed in the attack, with India accounting for 11 victims - the highest death toll so far. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said 14 foreigners were still missing. Meanwhile, a senior priest said all of Sri Lanka's Catholic churches have been ordered to stay closed and suspend services until security improves after deadly Easter bombings. Amid continued heavy security, residents go about their daily lives but many shops remained closed near the blast site. Sri Lankan and international authorities have also focused their investigations on international links to domestic Islamist groups - National Thawheed Jama'ut and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. Islamic State(IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack two days ago. Minister for Muslim religious affairs Abdul haleem Mohammed Hashim has issued a letter to Muslim calling not to attend Friday Jummah prayers. In a letter, he said, "As a sign of solitary with the Catholic community & a show of protest against the barbaric act of the ruthless terrorist I appeal to my Muslim brothers to avoid gathering for congregational prayers (on Friday) but to pray in homes instead, for peace and security of our motherland." Adding, "we stand with Christian brothers and sisters during their times of grief" US embassy in Sri Lanka has issued advisory. Quoting Sri Lankan authorities, the embassy said, govt is reporting that additional attacks may occur targeting places of worship and asked Americans to avoid specific areas over the weekend, starting Friday the April 26th through Sunday, April 28th.

Sri Lanka terror attacks: Defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando quits

Sri Lanka and its capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-terror-attacks-defence-secretary-hemasiri-fernando-quits-213465">Colombo remained on edge</a> on Thursday as the day began with an explosion in Pugoda town, followed by a lockdown of the central bank amid fears of a possible explosive material and number of operations across the country to nab the suspects behind Sunday's terror attack.

The explosion that took place in Pugoda town, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leader-of-the-group-committed-suicide-at-shangri-la-hotel-police-213412">40 km east of Colombo</a> was not a controlled explosion. A number of controlled explosions have taken place in Colombo in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attack.

During the day, in the heart of Colombo, near the Parliament, a lockdown happened at the central bank over fears of a possible explosion. The alert was removed later.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cctv-footage-shows-suspected-sri-lanka-bomber-pacing-in-hotel-restaurant-213372/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Heavy police deployment was seen on the roads of Colombo with security checking vehicles as in response to the current threat level.

A countrywide manhunt has been launched, with the police arresting three&nbsp;people in connection with grenades in one of the operations.

Meanwhile, the police authorities released pictures of many suspects in connection with the attack and asked the public to approach them in case of information.&nbsp;

Thursday also saw political fallout of terror attack with Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigning.

Community leaders have urged restraint. All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama(ACJU), the apex body of Sri Lankan Muslims has advised not to wear Burqa as it comes in the way of national security forces to maintain security in the country.

In a statement, they said, "We advise that in the prevailing situation our sisters should not hinder the security forces in their efforts to maintain national security by wearing the face cover(Niqab)"

ACJU, in a press conference, said, the bodies of suicide bombers will not be buried in a mosque.

Curfew was imposed for the fifth&nbsp;night throughout the Island.

Sri Lanka and its capital Colombo remained on edge on Thursday as the day began with an explosion in Pugoda town, followed by a lockdown of the central bank amid fears of a possible explosive material and number of operations across the country to nab the suspects behind Sunday's terror attack.

Sri Lanka and its capital Colombo remained on edge on Thursday as the day began with an explosion in Pugoda town, followed by a lockdown of the central bank amid fears of a possible explosive material and number of operations across the country to nab the suspects behind Sunday's terror attack. The explosion that took place in Pugoda town, 40 km east of Colombo was not a controlled explosion. A number of controlled explosions have taken place in Colombo in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attack. During the day, in the heart of Colombo, near the Parliament, a lockdown happened at the central bank over fears of a possible explosion. The alert was removed later. Heavy police deployment was seen on the roads of Colombo with security checking vehicles as in response to the current threat level. A countrywide manhunt has been launched, with the police arresting three people in connection with grenades in one of the operations. Meanwhile, the police authorities released pictures of many suspects in connection with the attack and asked the public to approach them in case of information. Thursday also saw political fallout of terror attack with Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigning. Community leaders have urged restraint. All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama(ACJU), the apex body of Sri Lankan Muslims has advised not to wear Burqa as it comes in the way of national security forces to maintain security in the country. In a statement, they said, "We advise that in the prevailing situation our sisters should not hinder the security forces in their efforts to maintain national security by wearing the face cover(Niqab)" ACJU, in a press conference, said, the bodies of suicide bombers will not be buried in a mosque. Curfew was imposed for the fifth night throughout the Island.

Days after terror strikes, Sri Lanka remains on edge

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a television interview on Wednesday there was “every indication” that Sunday’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-attacks-india-has-lost-maximum-citizens-at-least-36-foreigners-killed-213300">bomb attacks</a> in Sri Lanka that killed 359 people were inspired by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cctv-footage-shows-suspected-suicide-bombers-behind-shangri-la-hotel-blasts-213232">Islamic State.</a>

“Every indication is that this was at the very least inspired by ISIS,” Pompeo said in an interview with CBS News, referring to the group by an acronym.

Sources familiar with internal US&nbsp;government reporting on the attacks told Reuters that while investigations are ongoing, U.S. agencies believe the group that carried out the attacks had sympathies and possibly contacts with the Islamic State movement.

US&nbsp;agencies are collecting information on the attackers’ relationship with Islamic State and are trying to determine if there was any involvement in the attacks by what remains of the militant group’s central organization, which scattered following its eviction from territory it controlled in Syria, the sources said.

One of the sources said official reporting supported news reports that the leader of the group that carried out the attacks is known as Mohammed Zahran Hashim and that he is the central unmasked figure in a photo of the alleged attack team issued by an Islamic State publicity outlet.

The source added that investigators believed another person involved in the attacks was Abdul Lathief Jameel Mohammed. The Guardian reported that British counterterrorism investigators believed Mohammed attended a university in southeast England from 2006 to 2007.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a television interview on Wednesday there was “every indication” that Sunday’s bomb attacks in Sri Lanka that killed 359 people were inspired by Islamic State.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a television interview on Wednesday there was “every indication” that Sunday’s bomb attacks in Sri Lanka that killed 359 people were inspired by Islamic State. “Every indication is that this was at the very least inspired by ISIS,” Pompeo said in an interview with CBS News, referring to the group by an acronym. Sources familiar with internal US government reporting on the attacks told Reuters that while investigations are ongoing, U.S. agencies believe the group that carried out the attacks had sympathies and possibly contacts with the Islamic State movement. US agencies are collecting information on the attackers’ relationship with Islamic State and are trying to determine if there was any involvement in the attacks by what remains of the militant group’s central organization, which scattered following its eviction from territory it controlled in Syria, the sources said. One of the sources said official reporting supported news reports that the leader of the group that carried out the attacks is known as Mohammed Zahran Hashim and that he is the central unmasked figure in a photo of the alleged attack team issued by an Islamic State publicity outlet. The source added that investigators believed another person involved in the attacks was Abdul Lathief Jameel Mohammed. The Guardian reported that British counterterrorism investigators believed Mohammed attended a university in southeast England from 2006 to 2007.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says 'every indication' Islamic State-inspired Sri Lanka attacks: CBS

Four days after the Easter Sunday blasts, Sri Lankan authorities revealed new details <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/middle-class-and-foreign-educated-face-of-terror-in-sri-lanka-213241">about the suicide bombers</a> who carried out attacks on churches and hotels in the country.

"They are a group, and there are quite a few individuals, and out of that, from this group, the leader of this group has committed suicide at the Shangri-la Hotel, but what we are conducting investigations is to find out whether there are other people who are involved in this group," Ruwan Wijewardene, deputy defense minister said.

There were eight male<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/all-sri-lanka-catholic-church-services-suspended-senior-priest-213356"> suicide bombers </a>who were involved in the attacks on Sunday, one was a female, wife of a bomber who blew herself up at her hideout in Dematagoda, a suburb of Sri Lanka.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cctv-footage-shows-suspected-sri-lanka-bomber-pacing-in-hotel-restaurant-213372/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"Whether she (female suicide bomber) was trained, I cannot say at the moment, but she definitely did commit suicide by blasting a jacket," Wijewardene added.

The government said the alleged suicide bombers hailed from financially stable backgrounds and are well educated.

"They believe that this (the attacks) is a reprisal, it was basically motivated, the Christchurch incident motivated these guys to carry out these blasts on Easter Sunday," Sri Lanka's deputy defence minister added.

Police spokesman Ruwan Wijewardene said: "CID (Criminal Investigation Department) confirmed nine suicide cadres involved in this bomb blast. And out of nine, CID has identified eight suicide cadres."

Police sources have said that two of the nine attackers were brothers who belonged to prominent spice trading family in Colombo. The brothers, identified as Imsath Ahmed Ibrahim and Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim, were sons of spice merchant Mohamed Ibrahim.

Sri Lankan authorities have so far not released the identities of any of the bombers. The brothers' father, Mohamed Ibrahim, was arrested as police investigate those behind the attacks, police said.

At least 359 people have been killed in the blast with the toll likely to go up further with several still unaccounted for and many wounded still in critical condiction. Islamic State terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Wijewardene said there is a possiblity of some people linked to the attack still roaming free, however, he added that "within the next few days, we will have the situation totally under control."

Four days after the Easter Sunday blasts, Sri Lankan authorities revealed new details about the suicide bombers who carried out attacks on churches and hotels in the country.

Four days after the Easter Sunday blasts, Sri Lankan authorities revealed new details about the suicide bombers who carried out attacks on churches and hotels in the country. "They are a group, and there are quite a few individuals, and out of that, from this group, the leader of this group has committed suicide at the Shangri-la Hotel, but what we are conducting investigations is to find out whether there are other people who are involved in this group," Ruwan Wijewardene, deputy defense minister said. There were eight male suicide bombers who were involved in the attacks on Sunday, one was a female, wife of a bomber who blew herself up at her hideout in Dematagoda, a suburb of Sri Lanka. "Whether she (female suicide bomber) was trained, I cannot say at the moment, but she definitely did commit suicide by blasting a jacket," Wijewardene added. The government said the alleged suicide bombers hailed from financially stable backgrounds and are well educated. "They believe that this (the attacks) is a reprisal, it was basically motivated, the Christchurch incident motivated these guys to carry out these blasts on Easter Sunday," Sri Lanka's deputy defence minister added. Police spokesman Ruwan Wijewardene said: "CID (Criminal Investigation Department) confirmed nine suicide cadres involved in this bomb blast. And out of nine, CID has identified eight suicide cadres." Police sources have said that two of the nine attackers were brothers who belonged to prominent spice trading family in Colombo. The brothers, identified as Imsath Ahmed Ibrahim and Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim, were sons of spice merchant Mohamed Ibrahim. Sri Lankan authorities have so far not released the identities of any of the bombers. The brothers' father, Mohamed Ibrahim, was arrested as police investigate those behind the attacks, police said. At least 359 people have been killed in the blast with the toll likely to go up further with several still unaccounted for and many wounded still in critical condiction. Islamic State terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Wijewardene said there is a possiblity of some people linked to the attack still roaming free, however, he added that "within the next few days, we will have the situation totally under control."

Leader of the group committed suicide at Shangri-la hotel: Police

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit following the Easter Sunday<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/middle-class-and-foreign-educated-face-of-terror-in-sri-lanka-213241"> suicide bomb attacks</a> on churches and luxury hotels that killed 359 people, two sources close to the president said on Wednesday.

The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter amid accusations within the government of intelligence failures ahead of the attacks.&nbsp;

Lakshman Kiriella, minister of public enterprise, told parliament on Wednesday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/top-sri-lankan-officials-deliberately-withheld-intelligence-on-attacks-minister-213244">senior officials deliberately withheld intelligence</a> about possible attacks on Sri Lanka.

"Some top intelligence officials hid the intelligence information purposefully. Information was there, but the top brass security officials did not take appropriate actions," Lakshman Kiriella, who is also minister of public enterprise, told parliament.

He said information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from Indian intelligence on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely.

"Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate into this."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CB7-nfzbe_0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Separately, Sarath Fonseka, former army chief and minister of regional development, told parliament he believed the attacks "must have been planned for at least 7-8 years".

The death toll from series of deadly attacks in Sri Lanka has risen to 359 after several people died overnight due to injuries, police said on Wednesday.

The attacks which targetted churches and hotels wounded around 500 people.

Nearly 60 people have been detained since the Sunday blasts.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombings in the capital.

One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives was a woman, deputy defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene told reporters on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit following the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 359 people, two sources close to the president said on Wednesday.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the police chief and defence secretary to quit following the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 359 people, two sources close to the president said on Wednesday. The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter amid accusations within the government of intelligence failures ahead of the attacks. Lakshman Kiriella, minister of public enterprise, told parliament on Wednesday that senior officials deliberately withheld intelligence about possible attacks on Sri Lanka. "Some top intelligence officials hid the intelligence information purposefully. Information was there, but the top brass security officials did not take appropriate actions," Lakshman Kiriella, who is also minister of public enterprise, told parliament. He said information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from Indian intelligence on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely. "Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate into this." × Separately, Sarath Fonseka, former army chief and minister of regional development, told parliament he believed the attacks "must have been planned for at least 7-8 years". The death toll from series of deadly attacks in Sri Lanka has risen to 359 after several people died overnight due to injuries, police said on Wednesday. The attacks which targetted churches and hotels wounded around 500 people. Nearly 60 people have been detained since the Sunday blasts. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombings in the capital. One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives was a woman, deputy defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene told reporters on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lankan President asks police chief, defence secretary to quit following attacks

The Palm Sunday serial suicide attacks are the worst in Sri Lanka’s history, shattering its ten-year long tryst with freedom from terrorism following a 30-year civil war which ended in May 2009. Sri Lanka has known 539 suicide attacks by Tamil Tigers on land, at sea and in the air. The latest attacks have revived the ghosts of domestic wars fought with the Marxist JVP and secessionist Tamil Tigers and will have a long term impact on politics and society. &nbsp;

The economy already under stress, is expected to take a big hit. Worse, a dysfunctional government shows no signs of getting its act together as President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe remain at loggerheads.&nbsp;A stable and alert government could have avoided the Palm Sunday tragedy.&nbsp;

As it struggles to conquer the trauma, horror and loss after the attacks that left over 350 dead, it is clear that they carry the IS signature and a connect between the IS hub in the Maldives and the local radical Thowheed Jamath&nbsp;is being made. Seven local Muslim suicide bombers could not have been born overnight. Sri Lanka is also coming to terms with reality: that it could take months, maybe up to a year, for the economy of the Island state to recover; that religious friction never seen before is now a fact of life; and that if the political leadership had been decisive and united, 300 or more people would not have had to die.&nbsp;

The tourist industry has virtually collapsed when it was just reaching its peak. Tourism makes up about 5 per cent of the Indian Ocean island’s $87-billion economy supporting about 1 million jobs. It is also the third largest source of foreign currencies. Tourists from India contribute a sizeable chunk, especially after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) makes it cheaper for companies to hold conventions and offsite meetings in neighbouring destinations. In 2018, a total of 397,985 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka as against 384,628 in 2017. But after the attacks, there is a 41 per cent increase in cancellation of departure bookings for Sri Lanka from April 21 to 27 from India, with a 17 per cent drop in enquiring customers. &nbsp;

Sri Lanka needs a constant flow of currency to keep up payments on its foreign debt which amounts to about 80 per cent of the country's annual economic output. And it is rising. Much of it is owed to countries in currencies other than the Sri Lankan rupee (LkRs). In 2018, Moody's and Fitch both downgraded the Sri Lankan government's credit rating raising doubts over its ability to repay its debts. If investors lose confidence and pull out, the nation's currency could weaken further.&nbsp;

However, it is national morale and belief in politics that has taken the biggest hit. Relations between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have been strained since Sirisena tried to replace Wickremesinghe with opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister in 2018.

&nbsp;The move failed, Wickremesinghe was reinstated on the orders of the Supreme Court, but ever since, the President’s office and the Prime Minister’s secretariat have been at loggerheads, stymying each other and withholding information from each other. The church attacks that the government has now confirmed were carried out by a Daesh front called Thowheed Jamath, could have been prevented had the President (who controls defence ministry, intelligence and internal security) shared with the rest of government, intelligence warnings from international agencies that the country got nearly two weeks ago. There is no evidence that the government has learnt any lessons and two parallel enquiries – one directed by the president and the other by the prime minister – have been ordered into the circumstances of the intelligence failure.&nbsp;

Although the island nation has seen nearly three decades of violence from a racial insurgency with its roots in the Tamil minority northern region, even at its peak, insurgents did not target places of worship. Sri Lanka is poly-religious with Christians and Muslims among both Tamils and Sinhala races. Tension has been reported lately between the Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims but not on a threatening scale. This attack will likely sharpen religious differences, introducing a new element in society and politics. Elections for a new Parliament are due in the summer of 2020 and a new president must be in place before January 2020. President Maithripala Sirisena has made no secret of his ambitions of another term. But after this attack, the prospects are doubtful. &nbsp;

A state of emergency has been declared giving the President extraordinary powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Public Safety Order. For a country that had defeated the deadly Tamil Tigers, the prospect of renewed terrorism from Muslim radicals from within and next door must be numbing. As Commander of the IPKF who had operated in the north and east of Sri Lanka and seen the northern and southern insurgencies of the 1990s, I worry for Sri Lanka. The sense of triumphalism after winning the war against Tamil Tigers has engendered extreme Sinhalese chauvinism and encouraged Sinhala Buddhist extremist groups like Bodu Bala Sena to target the relatively more prosperous Muslims in Kandy and the suburbs of Colombo. The anti-Muslim rioting last year by BBS which was politically motivated spun out of control requiring a national emergency to be declared. &nbsp;

Unless the President and Prime Minister bury the hatchet and deal with the consequences of the Palm Sunday blasts apolitically, Sri Lanka could face the prospects of another internal conflict and kill Colombo’s ambitions of becoming another Singapore. It is the right time for India to gently provide intelligence and investigative expertise and also full cooperation by the government of Tamil Nadu. Any widespread discord and civil disturbances have the potential to spill over into India. &nbsp;

India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have a trilateral agreement for joint patrolling in the waters of the Indian Ocean to ensure no inimical coastal landings or escapes take place. Sri Lanka will be in mourning for a long time and the victory flag that has fluttered since after 19 May 2009 victory over terrorism at Galle Face Green will be lowered at half mast. After ten years of freedom from terrorism, Sri Lanka has lapsed into bad times. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

The Palm Sunday serial suicide attacks are the worst in Sri Lanka’s history, shattering its ten-year long tryst with freedom from terrorism following a 30-year civil war which ended in May 2009.

The Palm Sunday serial suicide attacks are the worst in Sri Lanka’s history, shattering its ten-year long tryst with freedom from terrorism following a 30-year civil war which ended in May 2009. Sri Lanka has known 539 suicide attacks by Tamil Tigers on land, at sea and in the air. The latest attacks have revived the ghosts of domestic wars fought with the Marxist JVP and secessionist Tamil Tigers and will have a long term impact on politics and society. The economy already under stress, is expected to take a big hit. Worse, a dysfunctional government shows no signs of getting its act together as President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe remain at loggerheads. A stable and alert government could have avoided the Palm Sunday tragedy. As it struggles to conquer the trauma, horror and loss after the attacks that left over 350 dead, it is clear that they carry the IS signature and a connect between the IS hub in the Maldives and the local radical Thowheed Jamath is being made. Seven local Muslim suicide bombers could not have been born overnight. Sri Lanka is also coming to terms with reality: that it could take months, maybe up to a year, for the economy of the Island state to recover; that religious friction never seen before is now a fact of life; and that if the political leadership had been decisive and united, 300 or more people would not have had to die. The tourist industry has virtually collapsed when it was just reaching its peak. Tourism makes up about 5 per cent of the Indian Ocean island’s $87-billion economy supporting about 1 million jobs. It is also the third largest source of foreign currencies. Tourists from India contribute a sizeable chunk, especially after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) makes it cheaper for companies to hold conventions and offsite meetings in neighbouring destinations. In 2018, a total of 397,985 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka as against 384,628 in 2017. But after the attacks, there is a 41 per cent increase in cancellation of departure bookings for Sri Lanka from April 21 to 27 from India, with a 17 per cent drop in enquiring customers. Sri Lanka needs a constant flow of currency to keep up payments on its foreign debt which amounts to about 80 per cent of the country's annual economic output. And it is rising. Much of it is owed to countries in currencies other than the Sri Lankan rupee (LkRs). In 2018, Moody's and Fitch both downgraded the Sri Lankan government's credit rating raising doubts over its ability to repay its debts. If investors lose confidence and pull out, the nation's currency could weaken further. However, it is national morale and belief in politics that has taken the biggest hit. Relations between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have been strained since Sirisena tried to replace Wickremesinghe with opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister in 2018. The move failed, Wickremesinghe was reinstated on the orders of the Supreme Court, but ever since, the President’s office and the Prime Minister’s secretariat have been at loggerheads, stymying each other and withholding information from each other. The church attacks that the government has now confirmed were carried out by a Daesh front called Thowheed Jamath, could have been prevented had the President (who controls defence ministry, intelligence and internal security) shared with the rest of government, intelligence warnings from international agencies that the country got nearly two weeks ago. There is no evidence that the government has learnt any lessons and two parallel enquiries – one directed by the president and the other by the prime minister – have been ordered into the circumstances of the intelligence failure. Although the island nation has seen nearly three decades of violence from a racial insurgency with its roots in the Tamil minority northern region, even at its peak, insurgents did not target places of worship. Sri Lanka is poly-religious with Christians and Muslims among both Tamils and Sinhala races. Tension has been reported lately between the Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims but not on a threatening scale. This attack will likely sharpen religious differences, introducing a new element in society and politics. Elections for a new Parliament are due in the summer of 2020 and a new president must be in place before January 2020. President Maithripala Sirisena has made no secret of his ambitions of another term. But after this attack, the prospects are doubtful. A state of emergency has been declared giving the President extraordinary powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Public Safety Order. For a country that had defeated the deadly Tamil Tigers, the prospect of renewed terrorism from Muslim radicals from within and next door must be numbing. As Commander of the IPKF who had operated in the north and east of Sri Lanka and seen the northern and southern insurgencies of the 1990s, I worry for Sri Lanka. The sense of triumphalism after winning the war against Tamil Tigers has engendered extreme Sinhalese chauvinism and encouraged Sinhala Buddhist extremist groups like Bodu Bala Sena to target the relatively more prosperous Muslims in Kandy and the suburbs of Colombo. The anti-Muslim rioting last year by BBS which was politically motivated spun out of control requiring a national emergency to be declared. Unless the President and Prime Minister bury the hatchet and deal with the consequences of the Palm Sunday blasts apolitically, Sri Lanka could face the prospects of another internal conflict and kill Colombo’s ambitions of becoming another Singapore. It is the right time for India to gently provide intelligence and investigative expertise and also full cooperation by the government of Tamil Nadu. Any widespread discord and civil disturbances have the potential to spill over into India. India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have a trilateral agreement for joint patrolling in the waters of the Indian Ocean to ensure no inimical coastal landings or escapes take place. Sri Lanka will be in mourning for a long time and the victory flag that has fluttered since after 19 May 2009 victory over terrorism at Galle Face Green will be lowered at half mast. After ten years of freedom from terrorism, Sri Lanka has lapsed into bad times. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

ISIS-linked attacks in Sri Lanka will have a long term impact on politics and society

In the aftermath of the worst terror attack in Sri Lanka which targetted churches and hotels, the government is considering burqa ban.

A Sri Lankan government source told local newspaper Daily mirror that the authorities are considering burqa ban in consultations with Muslim community leaders.

The issue has been discussed with President Maithripala Sirisena.

The newspaper quoting Sri Lankan defence source said, several female accomplices involved in Dematagoda had escaped wearing burqas.&nbsp;

Several firearms were discovered in Dematagoda, a suburb of Colombo in the aftermath of Sunday's terror attack.

Meanwhile, a Member of Parliament of ruling United National Party (UNP), Ashu Marasinghe introduced a private member's motion in the Sri Lankan parliament calling for ban on burqa.

Ashu Marasinghe was quoted by local media as saying, "I propose that a ban be imposed on wearing of the burqa based on the national security requirement of the country."

While saying that Burqa was not a traditional Muslim costume recommended by Islam, Marasinghe said," Our move has the blessings of Islamic scholars.''

UNP MP Mujibur Rahman has said he would support the proposed ban.

He said, "My wife doesn't wear burqa and I don't plan to make my children wear it either. In the coming days, Muslim religious groups will make a statement on this.''

At least 359 people died in the serial blasts on Sunday. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

In the aftermath of the worst terror attack in Sri Lanka which targetted churches and hotels, the government is considering burqa ban. A Sri Lankan government source told local newspaper Daily mirror that the authorities are considering burqa ban in consultations with Muslim community leaders.

In the aftermath of the worst terror attack in Sri Lanka which targetted churches and hotels, the government is considering burqa ban. A Sri Lankan government source told local newspaper Daily mirror that the authorities are considering burqa ban in consultations with Muslim community leaders. The issue has been discussed with President Maithripala Sirisena. The newspaper quoting Sri Lankan defence source said, several female accomplices involved in Dematagoda had escaped wearing burqas. Several firearms were discovered in Dematagoda, a suburb of Colombo in the aftermath of Sunday's terror attack. Meanwhile, a Member of Parliament of ruling United National Party (UNP), Ashu Marasinghe introduced a private member's motion in the Sri Lankan parliament calling for ban on burqa. Ashu Marasinghe was quoted by local media as saying, "I propose that a ban be imposed on wearing of the burqa based on the national security requirement of the country." While saying that Burqa was not a traditional Muslim costume recommended by Islam, Marasinghe said," Our move has the blessings of Islamic scholars.'' UNP MP Mujibur Rahman has said he would support the proposed ban. He said, "My wife doesn't wear burqa and I don't plan to make my children wear it either. In the coming days, Muslim religious groups will make a statement on this.'' At least 359 people died in the serial blasts on Sunday. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Sri Lanka government considering burqa ban after terror attacks

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 24th 2019

New Zealand PM says no intelligence linking Sri Lanka attacks to Christchurch. Watch video to know more.

New Zealand PM says no intelligence linking Sri Lanka attacks to Christchurch

The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-sri-lanka-bombings-212899"> claimed by Islamic State jihadists</a>, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say.

Over 320 people were killed in a string of deadly suicide bomb blasts on Easter Sunday in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-on-high-alert-as-mass-burials-take-place-in-st-sebastian-church-212928">Sri Lanka targeting churches and luxury hotels</a>.

Colombo said it believes that the little-known Islamic extremist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) was behind the attacks.&nbsp;

But it has also suggested that a bigger international group helped plan the carnage as "retaliation" for shootings at two mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 people.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cctv-video-shows-suspected-suicide-bomber-entering-sri-lankan-church-212861/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Tuesday, a statement released by the Islamist State (IS) propaganda agency Amaq said the attackers were "fighters" from the terror network.

Zachary Abuza, professor at the National War College in Washington, said the Sri Lanka attacks were a warning of a new jihadist strategy following their military defeat in Iraq and Syria.

"I would say that what we saw in Sri Lanka is a new front being opened in the global jihadi insurgency," he told AFP.

He said IS was still able to inspire attacks and give militants anywhere in the world a sense of "urgency".

"Anyone can act in the Islamic State's name, and they will take credit for it," Abuza said.

'Compensate for losses'

Rohan Gunaratna, a security expert with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told AFP he believed NTJ was indeed now linked to IS.

"IS has created support groups around the world," he said, adding that some NTJ members were radicalised by the local group then joined IS.

At the peak of its military success, IS claimed a string of attacks around the world, from the November 2015 coordinated attacks in Paris to the deadly rampage of a gunman at an Istanbul nightclub minute into 2017.

In late March, Kurdish-dominated and US-backed forces flushed out IS fighters from their last bastion in Syria in what was hailed as a final military defeat for the group after it lists its strongholds one-by-one in Syria and Iraq.

But governments and analysts have always warned that the risk of attacks anywhere in the world remains just as high, be it from extremists who fought for IS in Syria and Iraq or those simply inspired by them.

After the Sri Lanka bombings, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that "radical Islamic terror remains a threat", saying the United States needs to stay "active and vigilant".

According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a known supporter of IS published on a social media channel pictures of three purported "commandos" involved in the Sri Lanka attacks standing with raised fingers against an IS flag.

Jean-Pierre Filiu, professor at Sciences Po-Paris, said IS is now adopting what he dubbed a "glocal" strategy by staging local attacks anywhere in a bid to make a global impact.

The jihadist group is "trying to compensate symbolically and in the media for the loss of its strongholds in Syria and Iraq and instead relaunch a terrorist campaign on a planetary scale".

'Serious proposition'

Bruce Hoffmann, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, said such attacks require considerable expertise and logistical support at every stage -- from recruitment to transport to the target sites.

"A half-dozen simultaneous attacks is a serious proposition. It would be very unusual for a group that basically had no track record," he said.

Little is known about the NTJ, which previously has only been linked to vandalising Buddhist statues.

Ethnic and religious violence has plagued Sri Lanka for decades, with a 37-year conflict with Tamil rebels followed by an upswing in recent years in clashes between the Buddhist majority and Muslims.

But it had not been seen by analysts as a potential crucible for Islamist extremist terror. Yet IS has made inroads in Asia, notably in Afghanistan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say.

The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say. Over 320 people were killed in a string of deadly suicide bomb blasts on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka targeting churches and luxury hotels. Colombo said it believes that the little-known Islamic extremist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) was behind the attacks. But it has also suggested that a bigger international group helped plan the carnage as "retaliation" for shootings at two mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 people. On Tuesday, a statement released by the Islamist State (IS) propaganda agency Amaq said the attackers were "fighters" from the terror network. Zachary Abuza, professor at the National War College in Washington, said the Sri Lanka attacks were a warning of a new jihadist strategy following their military defeat in Iraq and Syria. "I would say that what we saw in Sri Lanka is a new front being opened in the global jihadi insurgency," he told AFP. He said IS was still able to inspire attacks and give militants anywhere in the world a sense of "urgency". "Anyone can act in the Islamic State's name, and they will take credit for it," Abuza said. 'Compensate for losses' Rohan Gunaratna, a security expert with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, told AFP he believed NTJ was indeed now linked to IS. "IS has created support groups around the world," he said, adding that some NTJ members were radicalised by the local group then joined IS. At the peak of its military success, IS claimed a string of attacks around the world, from the November 2015 coordinated attacks in Paris to the deadly rampage of a gunman at an Istanbul nightclub minute into 2017. In late March, Kurdish-dominated and US-backed forces flushed out IS fighters from their last bastion in Syria in what was hailed as a final military defeat for the group after it lists its strongholds one-by-one in Syria and Iraq. But governments and analysts have always warned that the risk of attacks anywhere in the world remains just as high, be it from extremists who fought for IS in Syria and Iraq or those simply inspired by them. After the Sri Lanka bombings, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that "radical Islamic terror remains a threat", saying the United States needs to stay "active and vigilant". According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a known supporter of IS published on a social media channel pictures of three purported "commandos" involved in the Sri Lanka attacks standing with raised fingers against an IS flag. Jean-Pierre Filiu, professor at Sciences Po-Paris, said IS is now adopting what he dubbed a "glocal" strategy by staging local attacks anywhere in a bid to make a global impact. The jihadist group is "trying to compensate symbolically and in the media for the loss of its strongholds in Syria and Iraq and instead relaunch a terrorist campaign on a planetary scale". 'Serious proposition' Bruce Hoffmann, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, said such attacks require considerable expertise and logistical support at every stage -- from recruitment to transport to the target sites. "A half-dozen simultaneous attacks is a serious proposition. It would be very unusual for a group that basically had no track record," he said. Little is known about the NTJ, which previously has only been linked to vandalising Buddhist statues. Ethnic and religious violence has plagued Sri Lanka for decades, with a 37-year conflict with Tamil rebels followed by an upswing in recent years in clashes between the Buddhist majority and Muslims. But it had not been seen by analysts as a potential crucible for Islamist extremist terror. Yet IS has made inroads in Asia, notably in Afghanistan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate

Senior officials deliberately withheld intelligence about possible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cctv-video-shows-suspected-suicide-bomber-entering-sri-lankan-church-moments-before-blast-212866">attacks on Sri Lanka</a>, where a rash of suicide bombings on Easter Sunday killed at least 359 people, the leader of parliament said on Wednesday.

"Some top intelligence officials hid the intelligence information purposefully. Information was there, but the top brass security officials did not take appropriate actions," Lakshman Kiriella, who is also minister of public enterprise, told parliament.

He said information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-had-provided-specific-intelligence-on-attack-sri-lanka-pm-wickremesinghe-213001">Indian intelligence</a> on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely.

"Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate into this."

Separately, Sarath Fonseka, former army chief and minister of regional development, told parliament he believed the attacks "must have been planned for at least 7-8 years".

Senior officials deliberately withheld intelligence about possible attacks on Sri Lanka, where a rash of suicide bombings on Easter Sunday killed at least 359 people, the leader of parliament said on Wednesday.

Senior officials deliberately withheld intelligence about possible attacks on Sri Lanka, where a rash of suicide bombings on Easter Sunday killed at least 359 people, the leader of parliament said on Wednesday. "Some top intelligence officials hid the intelligence information purposefully. Information was there, but the top brass security officials did not take appropriate actions," Lakshman Kiriella, who is also minister of public enterprise, told parliament. He said information on possible suicide attacks on churches, hotels and politicians were received from Indian intelligence on April 4 and a Security Council meeting was chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on April 7, but the information was not shared more widely. "Somebody is controlling these top intelligence officials," the minister said. "The Security Council is doing politics. We need to investigate into this." Separately, Sarath Fonseka, former army chief and minister of regional development, told parliament he believed the attacks "must have been planned for at least 7-8 years".

Top Sri Lankan officials deliberately withheld intelligence on attacks: Minister

The US ambassador to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-was-warned-of-threat-hours-before-suicide-attacks-sources-213215">Sri Lanka </a>has denied the United States had prior knowledge of the Easter militant attacks that it passed to the Colombo government, CNN television reported Wednesday.

"We had no prior knowledge of these attacks," US ambassador Alaina Teplitz told the US channel in an interview on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/death-toll-rises-to-359-in-sri-lanka-blasts-213130">suicide attacks on Sunday </a>that killed 359 people, including at least four Americans.

A Sri Lankan minister had said earlier this week that India and the United States had provided information before the bombings on three churches and three hotels which authorities have blamed on a local Islamist group.

"Well I can’t speak for others. I don’t know what other sources of information the government of Sri Lanka might have had. I can just tell you that we had no prior knowledge," the ambassador told CNN.

"The Sri Lankan government has admitted lapses in their intelligence gathering and information sharing," Teplitz added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bdAoD_GMcws" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Sri Lankan authorities have started an investigation into how warnings about possible attacks were not passed to top ministers.

The US ambassador to Sri Lanka has denied the United States had prior knowledge of the Easter militant attacks that it passed to the Colombo government, CNN television reported Wednesday.

The US ambassador to Sri Lanka has denied the United States had prior knowledge of the Easter militant attacks that it passed to the Colombo government, CNN television reported Wednesday. "We had no prior knowledge of these attacks," US ambassador Alaina Teplitz told the US channel in an interview on the suicide attacks on Sunday that killed 359 people, including at least four Americans. A Sri Lankan minister had said earlier this week that India and the United States had provided information before the bombings on three churches and three hotels which authorities have blamed on a local Islamist group. "Well I can’t speak for others. I don’t know what other sources of information the government of Sri Lanka might have had. I can just tell you that we had no prior knowledge," the ambassador told CNN. "The Sri Lankan government has admitted lapses in their intelligence gathering and information sharing," Teplitz added. × Sri Lankan authorities have started an investigation into how warnings about possible attacks were not passed to top ministers.

US denies possessing advance intel on Sri Lanka attacks

A new bomb was found in downtown area of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-was-warned-of-threat-hours-before-suicide-attacks-sources-213215">multiple blasts shook the country</a> on Sunday.

According to a local security guard of a shopping mall, who has witnessed the whole event, a bomb was found hid in a motorbike, and fortunately, no causalities were reported.

"I see early morning six o'clock, I don't know, after police come, check and ask if I see and what time is it? Yeah, I see, six o'clock, the army come to check, one bomb," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/some-intelligence-officers-were-aware-of-this-incident-sri-lanka-minister-on-seriel-bomb-blast-212564">'Some intelligence officers were aware of this incident': Sri Lanka Minister on serial bomb blasts</a>

Local police officers have detonated the bomb and removed the motorbike.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CB7-nfzbe_0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On the same day, China's ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan held a press briefing to introduce the latest situation about Chinese citizens wounded in blasts.

Till now there is one Chinese citizen confirmed to be killed in the attacks, four feared dead, one still missing, and five injured, the Chinese ambassador told the Chinese media at his latest briefing.

Of the five injured Chinese citizens, four have been released from hospital, with one still undergoing treatment, he added.

The Chinese embassy has been trying all means to help the Chinese victims, working with the Sri Lankan side to search for the missing one, giving the injured proper medical treatment, and assisting the family of the deceased to take care of the relevant issues, Cheng said.

The eight suicide bombing attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday have killed at least 359 people and injured over 500. The Sri Lankan police have taken 58 suspects in custody. 
&nbsp;

A new bomb was found in downtown area of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, after multiple blasts shook the country on Sunday. According to a local security guard of a shopping mall, who has witnessed the whole event, a bomb was found hid in a motorbike, and fortunately, no causalities were reported.

A new bomb was found in downtown area of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, after multiple blasts shook the country on Sunday. According to a local security guard of a shopping mall, who has witnessed the whole event, a bomb was found hid in a motorbike, and fortunately, no causalities were reported. "I see early morning six o'clock, I don't know, after police come, check and ask if I see and what time is it? Yeah, I see, six o'clock, the army come to check, one bomb," he said. Also read: 'Some intelligence officers were aware of this incident': Sri Lanka Minister on serial bomb blasts Local police officers have detonated the bomb and removed the motorbike. × On the same day, China's ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan held a press briefing to introduce the latest situation about Chinese citizens wounded in blasts. Till now there is one Chinese citizen confirmed to be killed in the attacks, four feared dead, one still missing, and five injured, the Chinese ambassador told the Chinese media at his latest briefing. Of the five injured Chinese citizens, four have been released from hospital, with one still undergoing treatment, he added. The Chinese embassy has been trying all means to help the Chinese victims, working with the Sri Lankan side to search for the missing one, giving the injured proper medical treatment, and assisting the family of the deceased to take care of the relevant issues, Cheng said. The eight suicide bombing attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday have killed at least 359 people and injured over 500. The Sri Lankan police have taken 58 suspects in custody.

New bomb found in downtown Colombo; detonated later: Police

Sri Lankan intelligence officials were tipped off about an imminent attack by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-attacks-show-islamic-state-influence-outlives-caliphate-213101">Islamist militants</a> hours before a series of suicide bombings killed more than 300 people on Easter Sunday, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/some-intelligence-officers-were-aware-of-this-incident-sri-lanka-minister-on-seriel-bomb-blast-212564">Three churches and four hotels were hit by suicide bombers </a>on Sunday morning, killing 321 people and wounding 500, sending shockwaves through an island state that has been relatively peaceful since a civil war ended a decade ago.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks on Tuesday, without providing evidence of its involvement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-had-provided-specific-intelligence-on-attack-sri-lanka-pm-wickremesinghe-213001">Indian intelligence officers </a>contacted their Sri Lankan counterparts two hours before the first attack to warn of a specific threat on churches, one Sri Lankan defence source and an Indian government source said.

Another Sri Lankan defence source said a warning came "hours before" the first strike.

One of the Sri Lankan sources said a warning was also sent by the Indians on Saturday night. The Indian government source said similar messages had been given to Sri Lankan intelligence agents on April 4 and April 20.

Sri Lanka's presidency and the Indian foreign ministry both did not respond to requests for comment.

Sri Lanka's failure to effectively respond to a looming Islamist threat will fuel fears that a rift between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena is undermining national security.

The president fired Wickremesinghe last October over political differences, only to reinstate him weeks later under pressure from the Supreme Court.

Opposing factions aligned to Wickremesinghe and Sirisenahave often refuse to communicate with each other and blame any setbacks on their opponents, government sources say.

Sri Lankan police had been warned weeks ago about possible attacks by a little-known domestic Islamist group, according to an Indian intelligence report given to Sri Lankan state intelligence services, and seen by Reuters.

Sirisena, announcing plans on Tuesday to change the heads of the defence forces, said his office never received the Indian report.

Junior Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene, an ally of Wickremesinghe, told Reuters that he was also not privy to the Indian intelligence findings.

Sri Lankan intelligence officials were tipped off about an imminent attack by Islamist militants hours before a series of suicide bombings killed more than 300 people on Easter Sunday, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Sri Lankan intelligence officials were tipped off about an imminent attack by Islamist militants hours before a series of suicide bombings killed more than 300 people on Easter Sunday, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Three churches and four hotels were hit by suicide bombers on Sunday morning, killing 321 people and wounding 500, sending shockwaves through an island state that has been relatively peaceful since a civil war ended a decade ago. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks on Tuesday, without providing evidence of its involvement. Indian intelligence officers contacted their Sri Lankan counterparts two hours before the first attack to warn of a specific threat on churches, one Sri Lankan defence source and an Indian government source said. Another Sri Lankan defence source said a warning came "hours before" the first strike. One of the Sri Lankan sources said a warning was also sent by the Indians on Saturday night. The Indian government source said similar messages had been given to Sri Lankan intelligence agents on April 4 and April 20. Sri Lanka's presidency and the Indian foreign ministry both did not respond to requests for comment. Sri Lanka's failure to effectively respond to a looming Islamist threat will fuel fears that a rift between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena is undermining national security. The president fired Wickremesinghe last October over political differences, only to reinstate him weeks later under pressure from the Supreme Court. Opposing factions aligned to Wickremesinghe and Sirisenahave often refuse to communicate with each other and blame any setbacks on their opponents, government sources say. Sri Lankan police had been warned weeks ago about possible attacks by a little-known domestic Islamist group, according to an Indian intelligence report given to Sri Lankan state intelligence services, and seen by Reuters. Sirisena, announcing plans on Tuesday to change the heads of the defence forces, said his office never received the Indian report. Junior Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene, an ally of Wickremesinghe, told Reuters that he was also not privy to the Indian intelligence findings.

Sri Lanka was warned of threat hours before suicide attacks: Sources

Deputy Defence Minister of Sri Lanka, Ruwan Wijewardene has said people in Sri Lanka need to be more vigilant in the aftermath of the terror attack that killed around 359 people.&nbsp;

While speaking to WION, the minister appreciated India for its help.

WION: What is the current situation in your country?

Ruwan Wijewardene: All I can say is that citizen of this country has to stay alert, vigilant for the next few days. I believe we will have the situation under control in a couple of days until then our people have to be more vigilant.

WION: How India has helped you?

Ruwan Wijewardene: Indian government has been very helpful. From the beginning, they have given us the assistance we have been wanting to do the investigation we want. They are giving information. They have been very helpful. And as always we look to our neighbour when a crisis happens in our country.

WION: India had provided intelligence before the attack, &nbsp;what will you say on that?

Ruwan Wijewardene: Our intelligence agencies have links with intelligence agencies of other countries. So, I think, there has been information coming from many sources. Our intelligence had been briefed. And certain officials were notified about a possible attack but due to some lapse of security arrangements, most of the officials were not notified about the threats, that is including me and the prime minister. So, there has been a lapse on that regard but the president has promised an enquiry as to why the lapse happened.&nbsp;

WION: You said, there is a New Zealand link. Sri Lanka attacks was a retaliation to New Zealand attack?

Ruwan Wijewardene: From the assessment that is available by our intelligence services, they believe that it was definitely a motivational attack. A fact, for this group to conduct bombings on Easter Sunday. The group had started off by defacing Buddhist status but they never took up to this magnitude. So, to do on Easter Sunday, our intelligence services had input, it was definitely a motivational factor.

WION: How many countries have offered you help?

Ruwan Wijewardene: Right now we have assistance from the US, UK, India, Australia. UAE ambassador also called and offered us help.

WION: Number of people who died in the attack?

Ruwan Wijewardene: 359 people have died in the attack among which 39 were foreigners.&nbsp;

Deputy Defence Minister of Sri Lanka, Ruwan Wijewardene has said people in Sri Lanka need to be more vigilant in the aftermath of the terror attack that killed around 359 people.

Deputy Defence Minister of Sri Lanka, Ruwan Wijewardene has said people in Sri Lanka need to be more vigilant in the aftermath of the terror attack that killed around 359 people. While speaking to WION, the minister appreciated India for its help. WION: What is the current situation in your country? Ruwan Wijewardene: All I can say is that citizen of this country has to stay alert, vigilant for the next few days. I believe we will have the situation under control in a couple of days until then our people have to be more vigilant. WION: How India has helped you? Ruwan Wijewardene: Indian government has been very helpful. From the beginning, they have given us the assistance we have been wanting to do the investigation we want. They are giving information. They have been very helpful. And as always we look to our neighbour when a crisis happens in our country. WION: India had provided intelligence before the attack, what will you say on that? Ruwan Wijewardene: Our intelligence agencies have links with intelligence agencies of other countries. So, I think, there has been information coming from many sources. Our intelligence had been briefed. And certain officials were notified about a possible attack but due to some lapse of security arrangements, most of the officials were not notified about the threats, that is including me and the prime minister. So, there has been a lapse on that regard but the president has promised an enquiry as to why the lapse happened. WION: You said, there is a New Zealand link. Sri Lanka attacks was a retaliation to New Zealand attack? Ruwan Wijewardene: From the assessment that is available by our intelligence services, they believe that it was definitely a motivational attack. A fact, for this group to conduct bombings on Easter Sunday. The group had started off by defacing Buddhist status but they never took up to this magnitude. So, to do on Easter Sunday, our intelligence services had input, it was definitely a motivational factor. WION: How many countries have offered you help? Ruwan Wijewardene: Right now we have assistance from the US, UK, India, Australia. UAE ambassador also called and offered us help. WION: Number of people who died in the attack? Ruwan Wijewardene: 359 people have died in the attack among which 39 were foreigners.

Indian government has been very helpful: Sri Lanka's Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene to WION

By Damien Kingsbury

Sri Lanka has long been subject to extremist violence. Easter Sunday’s coordinated bomb blasts, which killed over&nbsp;300 and injured hundreds more, are the latest in a long history of ethno-religious tragedies.

The Sri Lankan government has blamed the attacks on the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), a radical Islamist group known for vandalising Buddhist statues.

These attacks are different from previous ethno-religious violence in Sri Lanka. By fomenting generalised religious hatred, they appear to have more in common with Al-Qaeda, which has sought specific political change.

For many, the bomb blasts immediately recalled Sri Lanka’s ethnic civil war. The war was fought between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) and the Sri Lanka government from 1983 until 2009.

In its final weeks, around 40,000 mostly Tamil civilians were killed, bringing the war’s total toll to more than 100,000 from a population of around 20 million.

The Tamil Tigers were completely destroyed in 2009. Many Tigers, including their leader, were summarily executed. There remains much bitterness among Tamils towards the ethnic majority Sinhalese, but there is no appetite for renewing a war that ended so disastrously.

A history of unrest

Ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka were high prior to independence in 1948, and stoked by the 1956 election of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party under Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike.

Bandaranaike proclaimed himself “defender of the besieged Sinhalese culture”, and oversaw the introduction of the Sinhala Only Act. The act privileged the country’s majority Sinhalese population and their religion of Buddhism over the minority Hindu and Muslim Tamils. The fallout from this legislation forced Bandaranaike to backtrack, but he was assassinated in 1959 by an extremist Buddhist monk for doing so.

Inter-ethnic tensions continued with outbursts of mob violence. In 1962, there was an attempted military coup, and in 1964, around 600,000 third and fourth generation “Indian” Tamils were forcibly removed to India.

In 1972, and again in 1987, the predominantly Sinhalese Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party (JVP) launched insurrections that were bloodily suppressed. Clashes between Sinhalese and Tamils in 1983 led to an attack on a Sri Lankan army convoy. This sparked the “Black July” Sinhalese rampage against ethnic Tamils, leaving at least 3,000 dead and marking the start of the inter-ethnic civil war.

The war was noted for its bitterness, with the Tamil Tigers using suicide bombing as a tactical weapon, as well as for targeted political assassinations. India intervened in the war in 1987. In retribution, a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. 
 
Extremist violence isn’t new

Sri Lanka’s Muslims are predominantly ethnic Tamils and make up about 10 per cent&nbsp;of the population. They have been at the margins of these more recent conflicts – excluded as Tamil speakers, but at odds with the more numerous Hindu Tamils. However, they also have long been subject to Sinhalese persecution, with anti-Muslim riots dating back at least as far as the early 20th century.

As the Tamil Tiger war progressed, Sinhalese Buddhism became more radicalised. Some Sinhalese claimed that all of Sri Lanka should be exclusively Buddhist. With the Tamil Tigers defeated, Sri Lanka’s non-Buddhist communities were again persecuted. This culminated in 2013 with a Buddhist attack on a mosque. Anti-Muslim riots in 2014 resulted in a ten-day state of emergency. Last year, there were more anti-Muslim riots. Buddhist monks have also disrupted Christian church services. 
 
Sri Lanka’s history of extremist violence, then, is far from new. Sinhalese Buddhist chauvinism has been the driver of much of this conflict. It may be that the Colombo East bombings are a reaction to recent ethnic persecution.

But if so, this raises the question of why Christian churches and upmarket hotels were bombed, rather than symbols of the Sinhalese Buddhist community. One can speculate about the logic of radicalisation and its possible manifestations. It is possible that, if Islamist-inspired, the bombings were not a direct retaliation for last year’s anti-Muslim riots, but part of a wider jihadi agenda.

It is instructive that, when the suspected terrorists were arrested and weapons found, three police were shot dead. Clearly, whoever was responsible was well trained, and there have been suggestions of international links. This contributes to speculation of returned Islamic State fighters having joined NTJ.

The Sri Lankan government was slow to release details of those believed responsible, as it knows ethnic and religious tensions are easy to spark. Identification of responsibility could well provide fuel for another round of inter-ethnic bloodletting.

If NTJ links are proven, or if the more radical elements of the Buddhist community are persuaded by wider speculation, it is likely Sri Lanka’s Tamil Muslims will bear the brunt of their reprisals. It is in this manner that Sri Lanka’s wheel of ethno-religious conflict turns.

(Damien Kingsbury is Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/sri-lanka-has-a-history-of-conflict-but-the-recent-attacks-appear-different-115815">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

By Damien Kingsbury Sri Lanka has long been subject to extremist violence. Easter Sunday’s coordinated bomb blasts, which killed over 300 and injured hundreds more, are the latest in a long history of ethno-religious tragedies.

By Damien Kingsbury Sri Lanka has long been subject to extremist violence. Easter Sunday’s coordinated bomb blasts, which killed over 300 and injured hundreds more, are the latest in a long history of ethno-religious tragedies. The Sri Lankan government has blamed the attacks on the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), a radical Islamist group known for vandalising Buddhist statues. These attacks are different from previous ethno-religious violence in Sri Lanka. By fomenting generalised religious hatred, they appear to have more in common with Al-Qaeda, which has sought specific political change. For many, the bomb blasts immediately recalled Sri Lanka’s ethnic civil war. The war was fought between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) and the Sri Lanka government from 1983 until 2009. In its final weeks, around 40,000 mostly Tamil civilians were killed, bringing the war’s total toll to more than 100,000 from a population of around 20 million. The Tamil Tigers were completely destroyed in 2009. Many Tigers, including their leader, were summarily executed. There remains much bitterness among Tamils towards the ethnic majority Sinhalese, but there is no appetite for renewing a war that ended so disastrously. A history of unrest Ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka were high prior to independence in 1948, and stoked by the 1956 election of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party under Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike. Bandaranaike proclaimed himself “defender of the besieged Sinhalese culture”, and oversaw the introduction of the Sinhala Only Act. The act privileged the country’s majority Sinhalese population and their religion of Buddhism over the minority Hindu and Muslim Tamils. The fallout from this legislation forced Bandaranaike to backtrack, but he was assassinated in 1959 by an extremist Buddhist monk for doing so. Inter-ethnic tensions continued with outbursts of mob violence. In 1962, there was an attempted military coup, and in 1964, around 600,000 third and fourth generation “Indian” Tamils were forcibly removed to India. In 1972, and again in 1987, the predominantly Sinhalese Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party (JVP) launched insurrections that were bloodily suppressed. Clashes between Sinhalese and Tamils in 1983 led to an attack on a Sri Lankan army convoy. This sparked the “Black July” Sinhalese rampage against ethnic Tamils, leaving at least 3,000 dead and marking the start of the inter-ethnic civil war. The war was noted for its bitterness, with the Tamil Tigers using suicide bombing as a tactical weapon, as well as for targeted political assassinations. India intervened in the war in 1987. In retribution, a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Extremist violence isn’t new Sri Lanka’s Muslims are predominantly ethnic Tamils and make up about 10 per cent of the population. They have been at the margins of these more recent conflicts – excluded as Tamil speakers, but at odds with the more numerous Hindu Tamils. However, they also have long been subject to Sinhalese persecution, with anti-Muslim riots dating back at least as far as the early 20th century. As the Tamil Tiger war progressed, Sinhalese Buddhism became more radicalised. Some Sinhalese claimed that all of Sri Lanka should be exclusively Buddhist. With the Tamil Tigers defeated, Sri Lanka’s non-Buddhist communities were again persecuted. This culminated in 2013 with a Buddhist attack on a mosque. Anti-Muslim riots in 2014 resulted in a ten-day state of emergency. Last year, there were more anti-Muslim riots. Buddhist monks have also disrupted Christian church services. Sri Lanka’s history of extremist violence, then, is far from new. Sinhalese Buddhist chauvinism has been the driver of much of this conflict. It may be that the Colombo East bombings are a reaction to recent ethnic persecution. But if so, this raises the question of why Christian churches and upmarket hotels were bombed, rather than symbols of the Sinhalese Buddhist community. One can speculate about the logic of radicalisation and its possible manifestations. It is possible that, if Islamist-inspired, the bombings were not a direct retaliation for last year’s anti-Muslim riots, but part of a wider jihadi agenda. It is instructive that, when the suspected terrorists were arrested and weapons found, three police were shot dead. Clearly, whoever was responsible was well trained, and there have been suggestions of international links. This contributes to speculation of returned Islamic State fighters having joined NTJ. The Sri Lankan government was slow to release details of those believed responsible, as it knows ethnic and religious tensions are easy to spark. Identification of responsibility could well provide fuel for another round of inter-ethnic bloodletting. If NTJ links are proven, or if the more radical elements of the Buddhist community are persuaded by wider speculation, it is likely Sri Lanka’s Tamil Muslims will bear the brunt of their reprisals. It is in this manner that Sri Lanka’s wheel of ethno-religious conflict turns. (Damien Kingsbury is Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Sri Lanka has a history of conflict, but recent attacks foment generalised religious hatred

Sri Lankan police have taken a Syrian national into custody for questioning over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-bombings-death-toll-from-terror-attack-rises-to-310-40-people-arrested-212788">Easter Sunday attacks</a> on churches and hotels.

"The terrorist investigation division of the police arrested a Syrian national following the attacks for interrogation," a source said.&nbsp;

The Syrian national was detained following the interrogation of local suspects, the source added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

So far no group has claimed responsibility for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-forgive-the-perpetrators-of-church-attack-says-head-priest-of-st-anthonys-church-to-wion-212804">Easter Sunday's suicide bomb</a> attacks on three churches and four luxury hotels that killed 310 people and wounded about 500 people.

Sri Lankans&nbsp;observed three minutes of silence early Tuesday to pay tribute to the victims.&nbsp;National flags were lowered and people bowed their heads as the silence began at 8:30 am.

The government has declared a full day of national mourning on Tuesday, with flags at all government institutions lowered to half mast, liquor shops ordered shut and radio stations and television channels expected to play sombre music.

Sri Lankan police have taken a Syrian national into custody for questioning over the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels. "The terrorist investigation division of the police arrested a Syrian national following the attacks for interrogation," a source said.

Sri Lankan police have taken a Syrian national into custody for questioning over the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels. "The terrorist investigation division of the police arrested a Syrian national following the attacks for interrogation," a source said. The Syrian national was detained following the interrogation of local suspects, the source added. So far no group has claimed responsibility for Easter Sunday's suicide bomb attacks on three churches and four luxury hotels that killed 310 people and wounded about 500 people. Sri Lankans observed three minutes of silence early Tuesday to pay tribute to the victims. National flags were lowered and people bowed their heads as the silence began at 8:30 am. The government has declared a full day of national mourning on Tuesday, with flags at all government institutions lowered to half mast, liquor shops ordered shut and radio stations and television channels expected to play sombre music.

Sri Lanka detains Syrian national for questioning over attacks: Sources

Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday vowed a major shake-up of the military's top brass in the wake of the deadly Easter suicide bombings, after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-had-provided-specific-intelligence-on-attack-sri-lanka-pm-wickremesinghe-213001">government admitted warnings</a> were ignored.

President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-sri-lanka-bombings-212899">defence and law and order minister</a>, said he will carry out a complete reorganisation of the security forces and the police under his control.

"I hope to make major changes in the leadership of the security forces in the next 24 hours," the president said in a nationwide address.

"The restructuring of the security forces and the police will be completed within a week."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-blasts-priority-is-to-apprehend-perpetrators-says-ranil-wickremesinghe-213011/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged that police had intelligence about the suicide strikes against churches and luxury hotels before the bombings on Sunday, but failed to act on it.&nbsp;

More than 300 people have been killed in the attack with over 500 injured.

An investigation was underway to establish why police did not share intelligence with Wickremesinghe's office, he told reporters on Tuesday, shortly before the president's address.

Meanwhile, The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the series of bombings at three Catholic churches and three high-end hotels, and released a photo of the men it said were responsible.

It came after Sri Lanka's government said initial investigations suggested the attack had been carried out as "retaliation" for shootings at two mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 people.

The Sri Lankan government had already pointed the figure at a little-known local Islamic extremist group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), but said it was investigating whether they had international support.

"Those that carried out the attack that targeted members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka the day before yesterday are Islamic State group fighters," a statement released by the group's propaganda agency Amaq said.

Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday vowed a major shake-up of the military's top brass in the wake of the deadly Easter suicide bombings, after the government admitted warnings were ignored.

Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday vowed a major shake-up of the military's top brass in the wake of the deadly Easter suicide bombings, after the government admitted warnings were ignored. President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also defence and law and order minister, said he will carry out a complete reorganisation of the security forces and the police under his control. "I hope to make major changes in the leadership of the security forces in the next 24 hours," the president said in a nationwide address. "The restructuring of the security forces and the police will be completed within a week." × Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged that police had intelligence about the suicide strikes against churches and luxury hotels before the bombings on Sunday, but failed to act on it. More than 300 people have been killed in the attack with over 500 injured. An investigation was underway to establish why police did not share intelligence with Wickremesinghe's office, he told reporters on Tuesday, shortly before the president's address. Meanwhile, The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the series of bombings at three Catholic churches and three high-end hotels, and released a photo of the men it said were responsible. It came after Sri Lanka's government said initial investigations suggested the attack had been carried out as "retaliation" for shootings at two mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 people. The Sri Lankan government had already pointed the figure at a little-known local Islamic extremist group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), but said it was investigating whether they had international support. "Those that carried out the attack that targeted members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka the day before yesterday are Islamic State group fighters," a statement released by the group's propaganda agency Amaq said.

I hope to make major changes in leadership of security forces in next 24 hours: President Sirisena

Namal Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan politician and the son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke to WION and said, as a country, they have to come together.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-bombings-death-toll-from-terror-attack-rises-to-310-40-people-arrested-212788">Sri Lanka saw the worst terror attack</a> on Sunday killing around 310 people and over 500 injured.&nbsp;Sri Lanka has imposed a state of emergency hours after blaming a local Islamist group for the attacks.

WION: What is the situation on the ground?

Namal Rajapaksa: Everyone is shocked to hear what happened because we haven't seen a suicide attack or bomb blast in this country for the last ten years. But it is a very devastating and unfortunate incident that took place and we strongly believe it's lack of security and action taken by the government to stop these kinds of activities because clearly, the Prime Minister said we accepting the fact that they have got to know about this few weeks ago. So then they should have acted on that.

WION: Was it an intelligence failure?

Namal Rajapaksa: We cannot blame on the intel because of limited sources because what we know in last four years Sri Lanka has become the weakest when it comes to Intel because of the sudden political decisions the government has taken but despite all that they manage to give the report to the government by the second week of April but the government failed to take action.&nbsp;

But at this stage, we are not going to spend our time blaming on the president or the prime minister because we believe this is the time we have to come together as a nation, keep our political differences aside. As a country we have to work together we have to support each other to come over this. We know even now on our way to meet you guys, there was a blast. This has never happened in this country for so many years, even during the wartime, Sri Lanka did not see this kind of fear.

WION: Why was Sri Lanka targetted?

Namal Rajapaksa: If you look at our region, one is geopolitical importance in Sri Lanka. At the same time Sri Lanka has the weakest intelligence ever since 2015, because once you destabilize your intelligence, once you start punishing your intelligent officers and once you get together with certain nations to disarm your intelligence or withdraw intelligence and try to put them behind bars for fighting against terrorism for 30 years, then obviously Sri Lanka becomes the weakest link in the region. So when that happens it is much easier for certain organisations to get active in this country.&nbsp;

Namal Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan politician and the son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke to WION and said, as a country, they have to come together.

Namal Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan politician and the son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke to WION and said, as a country, they have to come together. Sri Lanka saw the worst terror attack on Sunday killing around 310 people and over 500 injured. Sri Lanka has imposed a state of emergency hours after blaming a local Islamist group for the attacks. WION: What is the situation on the ground? Namal Rajapaksa: Everyone is shocked to hear what happened because we haven't seen a suicide attack or bomb blast in this country for the last ten years. But it is a very devastating and unfortunate incident that took place and we strongly believe it's lack of security and action taken by the government to stop these kinds of activities because clearly, the Prime Minister said we accepting the fact that they have got to know about this few weeks ago. So then they should have acted on that. WION: Was it an intelligence failure? Namal Rajapaksa: We cannot blame on the intel because of limited sources because what we know in last four years Sri Lanka has become the weakest when it comes to Intel because of the sudden political decisions the government has taken but despite all that they manage to give the report to the government by the second week of April but the government failed to take action. But at this stage, we are not going to spend our time blaming on the president or the prime minister because we believe this is the time we have to come together as a nation, keep our political differences aside. As a country we have to work together we have to support each other to come over this. We know even now on our way to meet you guys, there was a blast. This has never happened in this country for so many years, even during the wartime, Sri Lanka did not see this kind of fear. WION: Why was Sri Lanka targetted? Namal Rajapaksa: If you look at our region, one is geopolitical importance in Sri Lanka. At the same time Sri Lanka has the weakest intelligence ever since 2015, because once you destabilize your intelligence, once you start punishing your intelligent officers and once you get together with certain nations to disarm your intelligence or withdraw intelligence and try to put them behind bars for fighting against terrorism for 30 years, then obviously Sri Lanka becomes the weakest link in the region. So when that happens it is much easier for certain organisations to get active in this country.

Sri Lanka attacks: We have to come together as a nation, says Namal Rajapaksa to WION

sri-lanka-attacks

Sri Lanka Attacks, News on Sri Lanka Attacks, stories on Sri Lanka Attacks, articles on Sri Lanka Attacks, Sri Lanka Attacks stories at Wion, Sri Lanka Attacks news, Sri Lanka Attacks latest news

sri lanka-attacks