All those directly linked to Easter Sunday terror attacks now dead or in custody - PM

All those directly linked to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and who are still living are now under arrest, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today (May 7).

By Sandun Jayawardana

All those directly linked to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and who are still living are now under arrest, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today (May 7).

Speaking during the adjournment debate on the Easter Sunday terror attacks, Mr Wickremesinghe said security forces have now stabilize the country’s security situation and normalcy has been restored.

What remains now is to investigate those who maintained close links with the attackers and take them into custody, he added. “As a Government, we have given instructions to enforce the law against them irrespective of their status,” he further said.

The PM also acknowledged that some Sri Lankans had travelled to Syria via Turkey in 2014 and joined the Islamic State (IS) terror group after its leader Abu-Bakr Al Baghdadi proclaimed an Islamic State. Several of these are known to have undergone weapons training under IS and returned to the country. Intelligence agencies, together with the security forces and police have launched investigations regarding these individuals, he further noted.

Mr Wickremesinghe tabled a report submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) noting that more than 50 suspects believed to be directly connected to the attacks are currently under arrest and being grilled by the CID. This includes Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Naufer, who is believed to have been appointed to succeed the leader of the group, thought to have perished in the suicide bomb attack at the Shangri-La Hotel.

The Premier also said he had directed the Inspector General of Police to inquire into the controversial higher education institute being established in Batticaloa and submit a report.