Islamic State claims responsibility for serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka

The Islamic States has claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attacks that shook Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. A string of eight powerful blasts ripped through three churches and many luxury hotels frequented by foreigners killing over 300 people and injuring more than 500.

As Sri Lanka and the world continues to mourn the mindless massacre of over 320 people on Easter in Sri Lanka, the Islamic States claimed responsibility for the horrifying terror attack in Sri Lanka. In a statement issued through its propaganda ‘Amaq’ news agency, the ISIS claimed that “the executors of the attack that targeted citizens of coalition states and Christians in Sri Lanka two days ago were with the group,”.

Meanwhile, citing the findings from the initial probe, Sri Lanka’s state minister of defence, Ruwan Wijewardene in an address to the Parliament, said that the suicide bombings were in retaliation of the deadly shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A surveillance footage of the suspected bomber has also surfaced, carrying a heavy backpack and walking on the street before heading into the St. Sebastian’s Church. International police organization, INTERPOL has deployed a team to Sri Lanka to assist investigations. Forty suspects, including the driver of a van allegedly used by the suicide bombers, have been arrested so far.

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena showed foreign diplomats pictures of suspected bombers and gave a briefing to diplomats based in Colombo. Silence was also observed to mourn the dead.

Sri Lanka has declared a full day of national mourning across the country. National flags were lowered to half mast and three minute of silence was observed to pay homage to those who died. A state of emergency is also in effect in the country. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visited Negombo where over 100 people were killed in the blast at St Sebastian’s Church

Meanwhile, it has emerged that India had specifically warned about the attacks in an intelligence advisory early this month but Sri Lankan government failed to take adequate steps. 10 Indians among 38 foreigners were killed in the attack.