Attacks possible retaliation for Christchurch: Ruwan

• Dead rise to 321, over 350 still hospitalised
• Says NTJ has been linked to another organisation 
• Calls for terror groups to be listed, their assets to be taken over by Govt.
• Insists PM and State Minister did not receive intelligence updates   
• Significant arrests made, investigations moving forward 
• Muslim groups have fully extended support, SL will stand together

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Updating Parliament on the Easter Sunday attacks, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said the number of fatalities had increased to 321 and that the attacks could have been in retaliation to the Christchurch attacks in New Zealand.

Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene

“It is with deep regret and shame that I state there was a massive lapse in the security set-up that led to Easter Sunday attack. It is evident that the intelligence services had prior knowledge of a possible attack on churches and had informed relevant officials. However, this information was shared only among a few officials.

 I must categorically state that both the Prime Minister and I did not receive any information on these intelligence reports, nor was the information shared with the service commanders. While the President was away on a foreign visit, it baffles me as to why neither the Prime Minister nor I were informed of such a threat.”

According to Wijewardene, President Sirisena included the Prime Minister and the State Minister of Defence in the National Security Council Meetings only after the Easter Sunday explosions. During the recent meeting, Sirisena appointed a committee to look into the security lapses.

Drawing parallels with global terrorism in the other parts of the world, especially against non-Muslim communities, the State Minister charged National Thowheed Jamath for the carnage.

“Three churches and four hotels were targeted by these extremists. These were well-coordinated suicide attacks aimed at achieving maximum death and destruction. We believe it was carried out by an extreme Islamist group as a reprisal to the Christchurch mosque massacre in New Zealand. We should take immediate steps to ban any such organisations that have links to extremist elements. We must take immediate action against any extremist groups operating in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Wijewardene also held that the peaceful Muslim community in Sri Lanka should not be castigated because of a misguided few. 

Appreciating the support of the Muslim masses, the State Minister said: “Many Muslim groups have extended their fullest support and cooperation to the ongoing investigations. They encourage the Police and the security forces to take all necessary actions against these radical elements. I urge everyone to cooperate with Police and security forces in their investigations by maintaining peace. This is not a time for vigilante justice.”

Thanking the foreign leaders for standing with Sri Lanka against the brutal attack, the State Minister confirmed to Parliament that 37 foreign nationals had died from the explosions.

“A total of 321 precious lives have been lost, over 500 persons injured, and 375 still in hospital. I too have lost dear and close friends to the explosion at the Shanghai-La hotel. I believe most of us here know of someone who has been affected by these attacks. I take this opportunity to extend my profound sympathies to all who are affected by these gruesome incidents. We shall comb every inch of this island to catch, arrest, detain and punish every single person who is involved in this heinous attack. 

“We have made significant arrests and are investigating possible links to the international extremist group. This country and our people have suffered enough, we must not let extremism drag us down. It may take years and decades for our wounds to heal but like the resurrection, we too shall rise, and we shall overcome,” he added.