Close to 60 suspects have been arrested upto now in connection with last Sunday's attacks in Sri Lanka, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara told a news conference this morning.
Mr. Gunasekara, while responding to journalists said that 32 suspects are currently being questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) while the rest are under police custody.
He said the CID has identified eight out of nine suicide bombers who were directly involved in the Easter Sunday attacks.
Meanwhile, State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijeywardena today said that all suspects have been identified as Sri Lankan nationals. However, he said he was unable not divulge information as to whether these individuals were dual citizens.
Minister Wijeywardena pointed out that the terror attacks had been caused by a breakaway faction of the National Towheed Jamath group. Investigations are currently underway to determine whether the the IS terrorist group had been involved in training this group which had carried out the attacks, he said.
Minister Wijewardena observed that most of the suicide bombers involved in the recent explosions were well-educated and came from middle-class or upper-middle class bakcgrounds.
On the same lines, he noted that these individuals held degrees while some even had their Masters in Law degrees. One suspect had followed his degree in the UK before moving to Australia in order to follow a post-graduate programme, Mr. Wijeywardena said.
He explained that the intelligency services of countries such as India, Australia, UK, and UAE, along with the FBI and the INTERPOL are currently assisting in investigations into last weeks incidents.
Mr. Wijeywardena urged the public to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing content regarding the IS terrorist group since it might motivate other extremist elements.
Meanwhile, State Minister Wijeywardena assured that the situation will be totally under control within the next few days.
(Pics by Ishanka Sunimal)
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