In the latest developments about the terror attacks in Sri Lanka, reports have emerged claiming that the Sri Lankan police chief had made a nationwide alert 10 days prior to the series of blasts which have rocked the capital city of Sri Lanka.
The police chief, Pujuth Jayasundara sent an intelligence warning to top police officers on April 11 2019, setting out the threat.
“A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama’ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo,” said the alert.
The National Thowheeth Jama’ath is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that gained popularity after it was linked to the vandalization of Buddhist statues.
Sunday morning was marred with dastardly explosions in Sri Lanka. The blasts occurred at around 8.45am (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.
A total of eight massive explosions have been reported so far taking the death toll to 242. 402 people have been reportedly injured in the blasts so far. The death toll of foreigners in Sri Lanka’s blast has risen to 46 in which at least 16 are Indians.
#Live Video Near Dehiwala Zoo#Update
8th blast in #SriLanka . Total 242 killed including 46 foreigners in which atleast 16 are Indian National. #PrayforSriLanka pic.twitter.com/R6jKAssuA8— SRS Auto Tech (@auto_srs) April 21, 2019
The string of simultaneous and coordinated blasts occurred at 3 churches, namely, St. Anthony’s Kochchikade Church in Kotahena, Zion Church in Batticaloa and St. Sebastian Church in Negombo. At the same time, three luxury hotels in Colombo were also targetted: Kingsbury, Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand.
Two more blasts reportedly occurred in a hotel near Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo and in Sri Lankan suburb of Demantagoda. Meanwhile, a curfew has been imposed in Sri Lanka by the government, and access to major social media sites have been blocked.
#NewsAlert – 8th blast reported in Sri Lankan suburb of Demantagoda. A string of blasts in Sri Lanka, at least 160 dead. Nationwide curfew imposed in Sri Lanka. #SriLankaTerrorAttack | @Zakka_Jacob with more details pic.twitter.com/6zrXUnRRUg
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 21, 2019
Search operations are underway at a house in close proximity to the blast-site in Dematagoda following a tip-off that there are more explosives at the location.
UPDATE: Search operations are underway at a house in close proximity to the blast-site in Dematagoda following a tip-off that there are more explosives at the location.#lka #SriLanka
— News 1st (@NewsfirstSL) April 21, 2019
The injured were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital and some were later transferred to Kalubowila Teaching hospital.
The Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had in his tweet condemned the attacks and advised against spreading unverified news.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condemnation of the attack and support for the victims.
Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had in her tweet confirmed that the government was keeping a close watch on the situation. She later tweeted helpline numbers for Indians who require assistance in Colombo.
Colombo – I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
Indians in distress may please contact Indian High Commission in Colombo. We will provide you all assistance. @IndiainSL Our helpline numbers are :
+94777903082,+94112422788,+94112422789, +94112422789.
Pls RT— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
An island-wide curfew announced by the Sri Lanka government will take effect from 6 pm on Sunday and will be in force till 6 am on Monday. A ban on Whatsapp and other social media has been imposed.
Although no organisation has yet taken responsibility for the attack, two suicide bombers have been identified so far. The attack at Shangri La hotel was carried out by suicide bomber Zahran Hashim, while Abu Mohammad has been identified as the attacker at the Batticaloa church. According to sources, Abu Mohammad was the official spokesperson and a senior leader of the ISIS. He was described as the chief of its external operations. He was the second most senior leader of the Islamic State after its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdad.
