SL bombings a retaliation for Christchurch mosque attacks: Minister

Sri Lanka's worst terror attack targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday was carried out by the local Islamic extremists in retaliation for the mosque attacks in New Zealand

Anab Mehdi
Published on: 23 April 2019 9:20 AM GMT
SL bombings a retaliation for Christchurch mosque attacks: Minister
X
Sri Lanka lifts social media blockade imposed after Easter Sunday blasts

Colombo: Sri Lanka's worst terror attack targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday was carried out by the local Islamic extremists in retaliation for the mosque attacks in New Zealand, a senior minister informed Parliament on Tuesday, citing the initial probe result.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka never expected bombings of such magnitude: Defence Secretary

A string of powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 321 people and injuring more than 500 others, shattering a decade of peace in the country following the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE.

Sri Lanka's state minister of defence Ruwan Wijewardene said in an address to Parliament that the early findings of the ongoing probe found that the suicide bombings were in revenge for the deadly shootings at two mosques in Christchurch just weeks ago which left 50 people dead.

ALSO READ: Eight Indians killed in multiple blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter

In addition to those killed, Wijewardene said 500 people were injured, of which 375 are still being treated in hospital.

(PTI)

Anab Mehdi

Anab Mehdi

Next Story