Employee used 13-year-old boy to place grenade inside church - Police

Police investigations into the recovery of a hand grenade inside the premises of All Saints' Church in Borella have revealed that a person employed at the church had used a 13-year-old boy to place the hand grenade. 

The hand grenade had been rigged to explode when a fire started, Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa said.

Four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident. They were subjected to lengthy interrogation where it was revealed that a 56-year-old resident of Maradana who was employed at the church had been the main suspect involved in the placing of the hand grenade. 

It was further revealed that the main suspect had used a 13-year-old boy who lives near the church and is a frequent visitor to the premises to place the hand grenade at the location, SSP Thalduwa added. 

The main suspect had been frequenting the church for the past 16 years and was added as a permanent employee of the church some nine months ago, according to police. 

The 13-year-old boy who was arrested in connection with the incident was produced before the Aluthkade No.02 Magistrate's Court yesterday. 

Investigations are underway into how the main suspect obtained the hand grenade and his motive for placing the hand grenade at the church.