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On April 21, 2019, a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka. The terrorists, linked to the National Thowheeth Jama'th targeted Christian churches and luxury hotels in Colombo. 253 people including at least 40 foreign nationals were murdered in these attacks, casualties that could have been avoided according to Indian investigative agencies, if the Island nation had heeded to the three warnings which came from intelligence gathered by the Tamil Nadu Police's Special Department assigned to monitor radical elements.

Close to two weeks before the attack, the Special Department in Tamil Nadu, had sent information to New Delhi regarding terrorist activity in Sri Lanka. The intelligence was gathered by the department's local sources in Colombo and adjoining cities. A total of three warnings had been sent.

"The exact way the information was gathered cannot be revealed but we gave accurate information to the Centre. Once the Special Department got to know of the attacks, the NIA, IB and R&AW was informed about it. We had even said very specifically that churches would be under attack," says a source aware of the intelligence transferred. "Once the Centre was aware, they sent it to Sri Lanka through the proper channels. This was at least 10 days before the attack," he adds.

The Sri Lankan government, however, allegedly took no action based on the intelligence provided. The TN Special Division's intelligence network in Sri Lanka continued to deliver important information, maintaining that the attack was imminent. Another message was sent from the Centre to the Sri Lankan authorities on the Wednesday before the attack.

"Once again they did nothing and the final message we sent was on Easter morning, hours before the attack. We told them, the terrorists are closing in. At least do something now. But over 200 lives were lost because they did nothing," says the intelligence officer. "They could have their own reasons to not believe any information that comes to them. But the least they could do it secure the churches, frisk people who are coming or at least have bomb detectors. They could have been cautious," he says.

Case in point is of course how Tamil Nadu reacted after a hoax caller from Bengaluru claimed that railway stations in the state would be under attack. Several district Superintendents of police that Tamil Nadu Minute spoke to were skeptical of the authenticity of the caller's information. Despite that security was increased across the state based on the DGP's orders.

"After the blasts, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his high regard to the Tamil Nadu Special Division which got the correct information regarding the imminent threat," says the intelligence officer. "We are dismayed that Sri Lanka failed to act and that our information could not save hundreds of lives. Despite this however we continue to give them intelligence reports and that is currently helping the government there."

(Tamil Nadu Minute)

A joint federation of several Muslim organisations and the Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society (SLMCS), together with a representative gathering of Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and Islamic clergy, Security Force chiefs and leading civil activists, staged a three-hour long 'Rise up for Solidarity Peace Vigil' at Independence Square on Saturday morning (05). 

Hundreds of people had gathered to vehemently and unequivocally condemned the brutal, barbaric acts of the terrorists that resulted in the death of hundreds of people on Easter Sunday. After offering prayers, they vowed to join hands with the Security Forces and other governmental authorities to bring back the peaceful co-existence of all communities.
 
Expressing solidarity with all bereaved families and injured people, Muslim Civil Society Activists publicly condemned the brutal slaying of innocent people by disgruntled members of a misguided group and pronounced that no religion has preached these types of killings to reach spiritual attainments whatsoever. 

Buddhist monks, Christian, Catholic and Hindu priests, as well as civil activists from all faiths commended the restraint displayed by all Sri Lankans by not resorting to violent retributions that could have led to more bloodbaths. They also praised the tireless contribution of all members of the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure the peace and stability in the country. 

The occasion, themed on 'Humanity Beyond Religion' was addressed by Ven Madampagama Assaji Thero, Dr A. T Ariyaratne of 'Sarvodaya', Hindu Kurukkal and leading Moulawis and Muslim leaders.

Placard holding activists, including Muslim women, underlined the importance of being united at this critical juncture. Some of the placards read, 'Terrorism Has No Religion', 'Family of One Nation', 'Together We are Sri Lankans', 'Rise, Resist, United' etc.

Nine employees at a copper factory in Wellampitiya which is believed to be linked to the recent terror attacks have been released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court today (May 06).

The suspects were released owing to the failure of the Police to file charges against the suspects under the Prevention of Terrorism Act or any other decree, Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage declared during the hearing.

Accordingly, they were released on two surety bails of Rs 500,000 each by the Additional Magistrate.

However, the 10th suspect who was also arrested in connection with the incident was ordered to be remanded in order to be produced before the Terrorism Investigations Department for questioning.

The suspects were serving as employees at a copper factory which was run by Shangri-La suicide bomber Insan Ibrahim.

The Saudi Arabian government is said to have arrested Maulana Rila, the brother-in-law of Zahran Hashim - the mastermind of the Sri Lankan blasts on Easter Sunday. The arrest was made with the help of the Indian intelligence who provided information last week. Rila's colleague, identified as Shahnawaj, has also been arrested, reports Hindustan Times.

It is learned that Rila was close to Zahran Hashim, who was a key operative of the National Thowheed Jamaath. The NTJ had carried out the bombing targeting churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka. Zahran Hashim died at the Shangri-La hotel during the attack on April 21.

Two days after the bombings, the ISIS, through its news agency al-Amaq, claimed responsibility for the attack saying that it was revenge for the mosque shooting which took place in New Zealand in March. They said that the bombings were a "Bloody gift to you".

India and Saudi Arabia are working together to dig deeper and find out if there is any connection between the men arrested and the IS modules in Kasargod, Kerala.

India had previous intel regarding the bombings and had warned Sri Lanka on four separate occasions - April 4, April 10, 16 and 20. They also called up the Sri Lankan authorities just two hours before the bombings to inform them of the three targeted churches in the country.

After the bombings, the Taj Samudra, which was one of the intended targets, was asked to instal more CCTV cameras and amp up security since one of the suicide bombers was unaccounted for. The HT report states that the bomber, Abdul Latif Mohammed Jamil, could not trigger the bomb when he entered the hotel.

His bomb later detonated at Tropical Inn in Dehiwala killing a couple who couldn't escape on time.

Parliamentarian Piyal Nishantha arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the false remarks made recently at a TV programme.

Joining the 'Rathu Ira' programme, Nishantha stated on a live TV broadcast that security personnel were killed during the explosions at a safehouse in Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai. However, the Army dismissed those claims by stating that no security personnel were killed during the fierce gun battle and explosions that erupted between the terrorists and the armed forces.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera too had requested the CID on April 27 to take immediate legal action regarding the false statement made by parliamentarian Piyal Nishatha.

Drug kingpin Makandure Madush was deported from Dubai this morning (05), and was taken into the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Police Media spokesperson said. 

Madush had arrived on Sri Lankan airlines flight UL - 226, at around 5.00 a.m. this morning, Police sources said.

31 persons along with Makandure Madush were arrested by Dubai police at a party on the 5th of February.

The chief of Sri Lanka’s army said some of the people who carried out the April 21 serial bombings in his country had travelled to regions such as Kashmir and Kerala in India to possibly be part of terrorism training activities, according to an interview with the BBC published online on Friday.

The comments by Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake is the first confirmation by a senior security official in either of the countries of the terrorists having travelled to India, a link that Indian security agencies have been pursuing since shortly after the attacks in the island nation.

“They had gone to India, travelling to Bangalore, Kashmir and Kerala state, (according to) information available with us,” Senanayake said.
Asked if he was aware of the purpose of those visits, the army commander replied: “It would have been for some sort of a training or to establish links with other organisations outside the country”.

The Sri Lankan army chief has said that some of the people who carried out the April 21 serial bombings had travelled to Kashmir and Kerala to possibly be part of terrorism training activities.(AFP)

Counter-terror agencies such as the National Investigation Agency have carried out raids in parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where they have picked up several people for suspected links to the Islamic State – the Syria-based terror group that claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Indian officials who have not to be named, at least two of the suicide bombers had travelled to India in 2017.

A Union home ministry official did not comment on the Sri Lanka Army chief’s comment. “Sri Lanka hasn’t shared any such information with us. Importantly, Sri Lankan security agencies themselves have ruled this out after investigation,” a senior official in the security establishment, who did not wanted to named, said. Till now, Indian investigators have not mentioned a Kashmir link to the Lankan bombers, though leads were still being followed.

One of the key suspects who is believed by Indian officials to have visited India is Islamic preacher Maulvi Zahran Bin Hashim – leader of Sri Lanka National Towheed Jama’at (NTJ) and the ringleader of Easter Sunday attackers.

Indian officials refused to share details about the purpose of Hashim’s visit or the people he was in touch with. Hashim, an official said, was initially associated with Tamil Nadu Towheed Jama’at (TNTJ) but the organisation was not found involved in any terror activities. 

He subsequently broke away from TNTJ to form his own – Sri Lanka National Towheed Jama’at (NTJ) and started preaching violent form of Islam in the island nation. (Hindustan Times)

Sri Lankan authorities have urged the public to surrender swords and large knives amid heightened security concerns following the deadly Easter Sunday bombings last month.

The Media Unit of Sri Lanka Police said the public has time until Sunday to handover any swords and knives at the nearest police stations.

The police also requested not to park vehicles after 1.00 p.m. on Sunday near any schools in Colombo as special search operations were scheduled to be conducted in those areas.

Law enforcement authorities have seized a large number of weapons from various parts of the island nation.

The call came as investigations into the deadly bombings continue whilst law enforcement authorities have recovered a large number of weapons from various parts of the country.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the relevant authorities to pay compensation for the properties that were damaged during yesterday's tense situation in Negombo, the Prime Minister's Office said today.

Tensions flared in Poruthota in Negombo when a clash between two groups of three wheel drivers ensued into a full blown fight prompting police to impose a curfew within the Negombo division. 

A personal argument between two people had escalated to the point where other bystanders in the area joined in but it was swiftly brought under control by Army and Police, it was reported.  

Compensation would be paid after conducting an assessment in order to estimate the damages caused to both public and private property, the Prime Minister's Office said.

These funds would be disbursed by the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.

The United Kingdom’s Minister for Security and Economic Crime, Ben Wallace pledged support to revive Sri Lanka’s tourism industry that was devastated after the Easter Sunday’s suicide bombings. 42 foreign nationals lost their lives including 8 British citizens.

“I have discussed our current travel advice and been clear that we hope to see the Sri Lankan tourism industry return to full strength,”

Wallace was quoted in a statement from the British High Commission. "We will do all we can to help the Sri Lankan authorities with this," Wallace said after a two-day visit to Sri Lanka.

Wallace met President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, other government ministers, military and religious leaders, senior government officials and leading figures from the Sri Lankan tourism sector.

He discussed the impact on Sri Lanka of the attacks on three churches and three hotels carried out by Islamists extremists.

Wallace also discussed how to address the security threat, identify what further support the UK can provide and received an update on the ongoing investigations, the statement said.

He visited the Cinnamon Grand and Shangri-La Hotels, sites where British nationals were killed in the attacks and met hotel staff, and visited the St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, and laid wreaths at all three sites.

 "The attack on innocent worshippers and tourists sought to sow division and hate and it must not be allowed to succeed," Wallace said.

"In times like this friends support each other. I visited, on behalf of the UK government, to offer that support and stand in solidarity with the Sri Lankan people."

Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the proposed counter terrorism law is tough on ordinary citizens by having provisions that can be used to stifle political dissent and the freedom of expression.  The former strongman president in a statement yesterday said the new law is designed to treat terrorists with the utmost leniency to the extent where its actual effect will be that of protecting and giving encouragement to terrorists – not countering terrorism.

"Our Penal Code prescribes the death penalty for killing just one person, but under the proposed counter terrorism law, a terrorist convicted of killing hundreds of or even thousands of people can only be given a maximum sentence of life imprisonment," he said.

Rajapaksa noted that the draft counter terrorism law that has been presented to Parliament has encountered opposition from political and media activists on the grounds that that the way it defines the term 'terrorism' leaves room for legitimate political and trade union action as well as the dissemination of information and protection of sources by the media to be labeled as terrorist activity. 

However, Rajapaksa credits the former UNP government that introduced the Prevention of Terrorism act in 1979 as a tough law. 

"There is no argument about the fact that the Prevention of Terrorism Act introduced by the UNP government in 1979 is a tough law. But we have had to deal with the most ruthless terrorists the world has ever seen and that would not have been possible if not for such laws," he noted.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Government-owned Litro Gas Company was unexpectedly postponed last week, due to an alleged bomb scare at the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC).

The main objective of the EGM was to remove the current board of directors of Litro Gas, in which SLIC holds a 96 percent stake. A new board of directors was to be appointed at the EGM.

Officials are now raising questions about whether the bomb scare at SLIC was orchestrated to sabotage the EGM and keep the old board of Litro Gas in place for the time being.

The Sunday Observer learns that security units were called in to the SLIC to deal with the bomb scare. Although troops discovered a suspicious object at the premises, it was revealed that it was in fact an empty tin wrapped up to look like a bomb.

The incident delayed work at the SLIC by about an hour. Later an internal probe found that the plan was to disrupt the extraordinary general meeting of Litro Gas that was to take place that day. The Litro Gas headquarters is in the SLIC building.

Two months ago, Litro Gas, the controversy-ridden state owned LNG provider was taken over by the Ministry of Finance, by gazette notification. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera urged the old board of directors to resign, but none of them had done so, highly placed sources told the Sunday Observer.

Minister Samaraweera called for resignations after probing financial irregularities within the company. Last week’s EGM was a last ditch effort to remove the board of directors. However, following the bomb scare the appointment of the new board members was disrupted.

The Sunday Observer also learns that a mud-slinging campaign began against Minister Samaraweera after he called for the resignation of the Board of Directors of Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Several websites have been used to publish articles to discredit the Finance Minister, it is learnt.

In Parliament two weeks ago, UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said Litro Gas Managing Director Muditha Peiris and Director Lakmali Hapuarachchi were running a dictatorship in the company.

Premachandran said a large number of complaints was forwarded to the company stating that the gas was not suitable for use.

She added that Litro Gas has made losses to the tune of Rs 3.1 million by providing gas cylinders free to politicians. (Daily News)