Toll 290, Lanka names terror outfit

Colombo, April 22

Seven suicide bombers believed to be members of an Islamist extremist group carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 290 persons in the country’s worst terror attack, authorities said on Monday.

A state of emergency was declared from midnight Monday. No group has claimed responsibility, but police have so far arrested 24 persons in connection with the blasts, that also killed eight Indians — the biggest casualty figure among the 31 foreigners who died in the attack.

Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said local Islamist extremist group National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) is suspected of plotting the blasts. All suicide bombers are believed to be Sri Lankan nationals.

Senaratne, who is also the Health Minister, said the government was investigating whether the group had “international support”.

President Sirisena has appointed a committee to conduct investigations within two weeks. Senaratne said the Chief of National Intelligence had warned the IGP regarding the probable attacks before April 11. — PTI

Security lapse to be investigated

• Lankan minister says IGP was warned of probable attacks, there was security lapse; seeks ouster of police chief
• PM Ranil Wickremesinghe wants an investigation into why intelligence reports were not taken seriously
• 87 bomb detonators were found on Monday at Central Colombo bus station
• An explosion took place when a device in a parked van was being defused near St Anthony's Church, site of Sunday’s blast. There was no casualty