Sri Lankan Defence Secretary resigns following suicide bombings
Sri Lankan Defence Secretary has resigned amidst continuing security threats in the country following Sunday’s attacks even as the death toll has been revised to 253, including 40 foreigners.
Hemasiri Fernando was asked to resign following reports that security agencies failed to act on intelligence inputs about the attacks.
The country’s health department revised the death toll to 253, against 359 reported earlier owing to error in count of bodies as several were badly mutilated.
Meanwhile, security situation remained fragile with reports of some miscreants trying to launch fresh attacks. Church mass and mosque prayers have been cancelled for Friday amidst threats of more attacks as some of the suspects may be on the loose.
Several search operations are underway and police check posts have been set up to search suspicious vehicles.
Over 80 suspects have been taken into custody and are interrogation for their links to terrorist organisations, including ISIS. Police issued an appeal for information on three women and one man suspected of involvement in the attacks.
The U.S. embassy in Colombo in a message said terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Few countries including Britain and Israel have issued travel advisories against travel to the country in wake of security situation.
Three persons were arrested on Thursday in Colombo along with several locally manufactured hand grenades and swords while another 198 detonators were recovered during search operations. President Maithripala Sirisena has said that arrangements have been made to set up a Joint Operation Command (JOC) to tackle the latest terrorist threats and called for overhaul of entire security establishment.
In related development, a Muslim organization stated that they will not accept the bodies of suicide bombers who carried out the Easter Day attacks.
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) also appealed to Muslim women to cooperate and identify themselves and remove their face veil whenever it is necessary.
