Sri Lanka: Extremists plan to dress in military uniform for new attacks, say security officials
Posted on April 29th, 2019
REBECCA SPEARE-COLE Courtesy Evening Standard
Sri Lankan Christian devotees pray in Colombo, a week after a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka ( AFP/Getty Images )
Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militantsbehind Easter Sunday’s suicide bombings are planning further attacks and could be dressed in military uniform.
Security sources say the militants were targeting five locations for attacks today, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches.
In a letter to the government and officials on Monday the head of the police ministerial security division said: “There could be another wave of attacks.”
“The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks.”
There were no attacks on Sunday and security across Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has been ramped up.
Scores of suspected Islamists have been arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals.
The government has also banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law that was put in place after the attacks.
There were concerns within the Muslim community that the ban could fuel tensions in the multi-ethnic nation.
But government officials said it would help security forces identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island.
The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said that security had not been sufficiently stepped up around churches.
We are not satisfied with the security arrangements and urge authorities to ensure our safety,” he told reporters.
Authorities suspect members of two little known groups – National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim – of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people was involved, mostly close friends and families. They spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance.
“They were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other,” Wickremesinghe told Reuters.
He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance.
“ISIS has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links,” he said, referring to Islamic State.
Authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, was the mastermind and one of the nine suicide bombers.
One military source told Reuters that five sets of white attire commonly worn by Buddhists when visiting temples were recovered from a safe house in the east, the site of a gun battle on Friday that killed Zahranâ’s father and his two brothers.
His wife and daughter escaped an explosion with minor injuries, hospital staff and police said.
April 29th, 2019 at 5:36 pm
ILLEGAL ALIENS!
CANE THEM IN PUBLIC and DEPORT them to the Home Country!
……………………………
Thirteen arrested without visa
Monday, April 29, 2019 – 12:29
Thirteen foreign nationals have been arrested for staying in Sri Lanka without valid visas.
Accordingly, six Nigerians were arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police at Watarappala yesterday, while four more Nigerians were arrested near the Buthgamuwa Road in Welikada.
They were to be produced in the Mount Lavinia and Hulfsdrop Magistrate’s Courts today.
A 20-year-old Indian was arrested in Rathmalana, a 38-year-old Thai woman was arrested at Nedimala in Dehiwala. They will be produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Courts today.
Meanwhile, a 56-year-old Iraqi national was arrested by the Nawagamuwa Police following a tip off at Kothalawala. He will be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate today.