Five persons including a Horowpathana Divisional Secretariat officer who maintained close links with suicide bomber Zahran Cassim and the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) were arrested today (May 24).
The officer identified as a Development Assistant at the Divisional Secretariat, is alleged to have delivered hate speeches on three occassions prior to his arrest.
According to the police, the sermons had been delivered upon the invitation of Zahran Cassim in the Horowpathana, Kebithigollewa, and Trincomalee areas.
Investigations have shown that the arrested individuals had closely associated with another suspect who has been arrested overseas.
An Arabic College teacher is also among those arrested, police said adding that the suspects are due to be produced before the Kebithigollewa Magistrate's Court seeking a 72-hour detention order tomorrow.
The final rites of veteran broadcaster, writer, and lyricist Nirmala de Alwis will be held today at Peradeniya.
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