The Sri Lanka's Deputy defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said on Wednesday at a press conference. One of the assassins had probably studied in the UK and Australia, and returned after to Sri Lanka.
It had been nine suicide bombers in the attacks involved, including a woman. Eight have so far been identified, said Wijewardene. Seven sri Lankan bombers had blown themselves up on Easter Sunday, at almost the same time in three churches in several cities, as well as three luxury hotels in the capital city of Colombo in the air. Another attack on a Five-star Hotel, failed.
a Few hours later there were two more explosions in a small Hotel and a residential building in the suburbs of Colombo. In the eighth Explosion, the wife, two children and another Relative of one of the assassins, as well as three police officers were killed, according to police.
pictures: attacks in Sri Lanka
The number of the dead was, according to police information by the Wednesday in 359 - including 34 foreigners. More than 400 of the injured were still being treated in hospitals.
The terrorist militia Islamic state (IS) had claimed the attacks on Tuesday. To possible IS-Connections are still being determined, said Wijewardene. The government had made a little-known local Islamic group responsible to have with foreign aid, the attacks perpetrated.
As a motive, the government suspected retaliation for the attack on mosques in Christchurch, new Zealand in March. It could still be a Suspect at large, said Wijewardene. "We ask people to be vigilant." (sda)
Created: 24.04.2019, 09:53 PM