One Month since Easter Sunday attacks 21April – 21 May in Sri Lanka

By Shenali Waduge

On 21^st April 2019 what was to be a special day for Catholics/Christians ended up a day of tragedy. We are still to know the exact number of death but we do know that 9 Islamic radicals thought of ending lives of innocent people in 3 churches and 3 hotels and had taken months to prepare for the killing. What we also know is that from 4^th April Indian intelligence had sent warnings with venues, dates and even names of the assassins to Sri Lankan authorities and none of these warnings had reached the Cardinal to stop Sunday mass or the hotels to beef up security. The Government however took own precautions and decided not to attend church! There is much that the Government must answer for and simply handing Rs.1lakh as compensation cannot wipe the blood of accountability. Can we trust a government that is responsible for such negligence especially when politicians linked to these terrorists have no action taken against them primarily because of the handouts they would have been enjoying. The country was freed of 30 years of terrorism from the blood sacrifices of close to 30,000 soldiers while another similar number remain injured for life. It was the lack of political will to end LTTE that resulted in Sri Lanka suffering 30 years of terror and all citizens are now asking the same question. Radical Islam leading to acts of terror must immediately be eliminated to ensure no future generation suffers the scrooge of terror.

Daily news from 21^st April to 21^st May is highlighted below to showcase the dangers we have at hand. Discoveries of not just swords but arms, ammunition, military uniforms, Buddhist monks robes, white clothes, SIM cards, drones, sophisticated satellite equipment, fake NICs, women, principals, teachers, moulavi’s and even parliamentary staff members being arrested for links with these terror elements is shocking all citizens. It is nothing that can be forgotten and nothing that we can move forward without knowing answers and knowing what the government is going to do about the culprits big or small, however powerful they are.

21^st April 2019 – Easter Sunday

• Explosion at St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade
• 5 more explosions reported at Katuwapitiya Church in Katana, Zion Church in Batticoloa, Shangri-La hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel & Kingsbury Hotel
• Death toll at 12noon – 138 persons
• Death toll at 6p.m. – 207 persons
• 32 foreigners declared dead (by 29 April – 12 foreigners whereabouts unknown – presumed as blown to bits) Foreigners were from 13 countries
• Van used to transport explosives seized with driver in Wellawatte
• 13 arrested – 10 handed to CID

22^nd April 2019

• Death toll at 9a.m. – 290 persons
• 20 suspects arrested over 21/4 in 24 hours
• Improvised explosive devise detected near the departure area of Bandaranaike International Airport & disposed by Army
• PM says Govt was alerted of attacks before bombings
• President returns from Singapore
• 4p.m. – controlled explosion near Kochchikade church – instead was gas cylinder and Rs.1000 notes
• 5:19p.m. – suspicious car parked in Welisara searched & Negombo road cordoned off
• INTERPOL arrives in Sri Lanka to support investigations into bombings (no Interpol when Sri Lanka suffered 30 years of LTTE terror)
• 24 suspects arrested in connection with Easter bombings – 9 remanded
• 3p.m. – 87 explosive detonators found in Pettah

23^rd April 2019

• Death toll at 9a.m. – 310 persons
• President issues gazette declaring State of Emergency in Sri Lanka
• 0945a.m. – suspicious package at Kollupitiya railway station searched
• 19 suspects arrested over Wanathawilluwa explosives haul released due to political influence? (later OIC informs Judicial Service Commission that Colombo Magistrate released suspects despite objections of police)
• CCTV footage of Katuwapitiya Church suicide bomber released
• State Minister for Defense Ruwan Wijewardena says 21/4 is revenge for Christchurch mosque massacre in New Zealand
• President admits lapses on part of Sri Lankan defense authorities
• UNP MP proposes ban on Burka (MP Ashu Marasinghe)
• ISIS claims responsibility
• ISIS releases pics of suicide bombers

24^th April 2019

• 0845a.m. – death toll 359 persons
• ISIS suspect gave advance warning of Sri Lanka’s bombings – Indian report http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=54595
• PM says intelligence information received but admits lapses in an interview to NDTV
• Now FBI wants to assist Easter Day investigations
• 10a.m. controlled explosion of bike in Wellawatte
• Factory allegedly used to build bombs for Easter attack identified in Wellampitiya
• 12noon controlled explosion of suspicious parcel in Katana
• State Minister for Defense Ruwan Wijewardena now says attacks carried out by ‘splinter group’ of NTJ
• Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka calls 21/4 an operation with years of planning
• Now UK sends counter-terrorism police to Sri Lanka
• MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakse calls for immediate arrest of Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando & IGP Pujitha J
• New Zealand PM says no intelligence linking Sri Lanka attacks to Christchurch
• US says it had ‘no prior knowledge’ of Sri Lanka attack – US ambassador
• 18 suspects arrested in connection with 21/4
• 2 persons and van arrested in Warakapola

25 April 2019

• CCTV footage of Shangri-la & Cinnamon Grand hotel bombers released
• Drones barred within Sri Lankan airspace
• The Intellectual Community of Muslims requests to suspend all small organized Muslim groups
• Australian PM confirms Sri Lanka suicide bomber studied in Australia
• Hemasiri Fernando Defense Secretary resigns
• Suspicious lorry registered under Shangri-la bomber seized
• ACJU says none of the suicide bombers will be given Muslim burial
• 198 detonators found inside abandoned parcel in Nuwara Eliya
• 16 arrested across Wattala, Bandaragama, Thirappane, Theldeniya, Balangoda, Matale, Vavunathivu
• CCD arrests Mohamed Bathurdeen deported from Dubai (Brother of Rishard Bathurdeen)
• 3 arrested with 21 locally made grenades at Modara

26^th April 2019

• Health Ministry revises death toll to 253 persons
• CCTV footage of Dehiwela suicide bomber released
• MP WIjeyadasa Rajapakse says Mujibur Rahman should take responsibility for attacks
• Zion church bomber identified as 27 year old Nasar Azar married to Sarah & residing in Kattankudy
• PM says joining foreign terrorist groups not against Sri Lankan law in interview to SKY News
• Shootout between STF and armed group during search mission in Kalmunai
• 6 arrested in Kilinochchi
• 3 nabbed with 1kg of c-4 explosives in Wellawatte
• Gunfight in Sainthamarudu leaves 16 dead including 6 children
• Kalmunai raid kills Zaharan’s father & 2 brothers. Zaharan’s wife Fathima Sadia is alive with daughter
• Noordeen Mohamed Thajudeen Colombo Municipal Member arrested with 26 swords in Slave Island as well as 20 garments of clothing similar to military uniforms

27^th April 2019

• PM apologizes for failing to prevent Easter bombings (after almost a week)
• Gotabaya Rajapakse says he will run for President & tackle radical Islam
• Rishard Bathurdeen denies links with NTJ terrorists
• Suddenly Millennium Challenge Corporation approves grant funding for Sri Lanka
• National Thowheed Jamath & Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahaim banned in Sri Lanka but not gazetted
• The 6 suspects arrested in Kilinochchi further remanded
• Indian police uncover Sri Lanka terror plot after arrests in India
• Suspect nabbed with 51 sticks of water-gel explosives, 215 detonators in Trinco
• Driver of Zaharan arrested – Mohamed Sharif Adam Lebbe (Gafoor) aged 53
• 49 knives recovered from mosque in Maskeliya store room
• Negombo Deputy Mayor arrested possessing sword, dagger and 37 mobile phone batteries

28^th April 2019

• Some Arabic and Madrassa schools teach extremism – says former President Chandrika
• Mahinda Rajapakse says no need for Indian NSG support, Sri Lanka can tackle terror on its own
• US embassy says Easter attack investigation support doesn’t mean long-term presence of US security (ok sure)
• Elder brother of Shangri La 2 suicide bombers Mohamed Ibrahim Ifthikar has been arrested at Dematagodaarea
• IS claims the dead in Sainthamarudu were their members
• Mohamed Fawaz – Deputy Leader of Thowheeth Jamath arrested from housing complex in Keselwatte
• Polonnaruwa Welikanda police division arrests guns & live ammunition in a farm belonging to a Muslim who was not at home but servant taken into custody
• Weligama Maduragoda police conducts search operations to find Rs.1.2m under bed of a not so well to do family who could not explain how they got so much money.
• Zaharan’s close associate Abdula Latheef Mohamed Zaheer questioned by Medwatchchiya police
• Dickwella – 4 swords / 10 Muslims arrested on suspicion / 850 houses searched / Saudi passport found in one house

29^th April 2019

• 18 vehicles (9 bikes, 6 vans, 2 cars & 1 cab) used by the 8 suicide bombers investigated. Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed Azam the Kingsbury hotel suicide bomber had 3 bikes, 1 van and 1 cab registered under his name. The other vehicles had been registered under names of the suicide bombers wives/close relations
• Van blown up by security forces near St. Anthony’s church belonged to Kingsbury hotel bomber (though he arrived in a trishaw)
• Kalpitiya – man arrested possessing 22 NICs of women
• Pakistani handler of suicide bombers arrested
• Sulaiman S Ali, arrested with 41 uniforms in Lunugala, Batawatte. 18 passports and 7 NICs found
• Zaharan’s chief priest arrested
• Raddolugama – 20 year old Muslim youth arrested with an air rifle & 6 swords
• NTJ Colombo district head Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawaz kept for 72hrs questioning
• New Defense Secretary appointed – Maj. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda
• Medigiriya – 4 Bangladeshi’s arrested
• Preachers teaching at schools without visa to be deported says Govt
• Moh. Nawshad former Wattala-Mahabage Municipal Chairman & member of SLPP also member of NTJ who had sponsored a mosque in the area flees country. His brother Moh. Rifaz caught with 2 walkie-talkies & a NTJ banner
• Motorbike used in Batticaloa church attack found in a house in Thihariya
• CID & TID question 59 arrested over Easter Sunday attacks. 15 suspects including 2 women interrogated by TID. Fathima Latifa wife of Zaharan Hashim is Abdul Kader Fathima Kadiya
• Anti-aircraft ammunition and detonators found in Welipenna
• IGP sent on compulsory leave – acting IGP is Chandra Wickremaratne
• Cardinal warns Govt – don’t let us take law into our hands
• Kantale – person arrested with 25 CDs containing information on ISIS
• Jamia Manarul Huda Arabic College searched and several mobile phones, burqas and books containing activities of LTTE recovered from school
• Wariyapola-Katupotha – 4 swords and army boots found in house on a 25 acre property.
• MP Dayasri Jayasekera alleges Muslim Affairs Minister Haleem allowed construction of 400 NTJ mosques – a large number of NGOs had funded these mosques – We demand to know where these 400 mosques are and who funded them
• 3 pressure minds, RPG bullet and other ammunition found buried near restaurant owned by a Muslim in Kanagarayankulam, Vavuniya. Owner arrested

30^th April 2019

• SLTJ’s posters for seminars targeting O/L students in 2018 found in Kaduruwela
• High-sensitivity device recovered from house in Kaleliya in suspicious threewheeler
• Kotte Municipal Councillor H M Ali Usman & brother Raja Mohideen Sultan arrested with 3 swords and a machete knife
• Suddenly US says terrorists plotting more attacks. But same US envoy said on 24^th April that US had no knowledge of 21/4 atttacks
• 38 year old External lecturer of a university, father of 4 conducting lectures in mosques belonging to NTJ arrested in Mundalama in Madurankuliya with 18 sim cards, 2 laptop computers, 2 mobile phones and one iPad.
• NUTA says Batticoloa Campus has to be brought under Govt
• EP Governor’s office – 2 officials N M A Kareem (assistant manager) and M I Nazar (public relations officer) arrested with T-56 bullets
• Gampola – documents belonging to Thowjeed Jamaat found in a shoe shop in which suicide bombers Mohamed Ibrahim Zahid Abdul Haq and Ibrahim Sadik Abdul Haq had hidden themselves
• Bathurdeen’s coordinating Secretary Mohamed Zanus arrested – Wedithalathivu Rural Bank Manager and 2 other businessmen were among arrested. Zanus is also the Mantai West Co-operative society chairman. 10 detonators found near public toilet near shop belonging to Zanus
• Ban on social media removd
• Suddenly – UN Counter Terrorism experts in SL  – United Nations Under Secretary General for Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos
• CCTV footage of Dehiwela bomber released – Abdula Latif Jameel Mohamed had been to UK in January 2006 and returned to Sri Lanka in September 2007.

1^st May 2019

• Mullaitivu police state 9 walki-talkies used by security forces and clothing similar to army uniforms among other items found in a luxury hotel under construction in Alampil area.
• 12 persons arrested with swords, parts of firearms, cothing material similar to army uniforms, posters, banners, fake passports, NICs, birth certificates and CDs belonging to Thowheed Jamaath
• Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskan close accomplice of Zaharan Hashmi arrested in Subharatheepura in Kuliyapitiya
• Tip-off received by Balangoda police recover 18 bullets from a tea estate in Bulathgama, Balangoda
• A search operation in Gorokgahamada in Balangoda – sword recovered from garden of a 37year Muslim youth
• 31 arrested in Kalpitiya in Mandalakudawa – 30 males & 1 female
• 20 suspects & weapons found in Akurana area represented by Minister Haleem – 3 words, high speed internet router, parts of air rifles, CDs belonging to Thowheed Jamaath, attendance registry for Thowheed Jamaath lectures, cash deposit receipts in favor of TJ discovered in several Muslim households in the area
• Explosives and weapons found in MPs abandoned land in Mallar area in Samanthurai – 20 pistol ammunition, 8 bullets, army uniform & belt. Security forces had inspected house next to land and found 200 gelignite sticks, 200 detonators, 46 wire chords and 100kg of ammonia.
• Police dogs go to house of driver of an MP from Digamadulla district where they discover a pistol

2^nd May 2019

• 40 year old arrested with military uniform and other equipment at Kovilkulam in Vavuniya on tip off of a suspicious house in the area
• NTJ’s Colombo District organizer Mohamed Farook Mohamed Fawaz remanded until 7^th May as per orders of Colombo Magistrate after 72hour interrogation by police
• Terrorist Zaharan’s sister Mohammed Fathima Madaniya Niyaz arrested in Kattankudy with Rs.2m currency notes.
• Fathima Ilham wife Moh. Ilham Ibrahim is Bathurdeen’s first cousin who died in house at Dematagoda is daughter of Alahudeen Jewellers. Alahudeen is Bathurdeen’s mother’s brother. Alahudeen is ACMC Treasurer. Alahudeen has houses in Singapore, Malaysia & Mannar. She has the female suicide bomber pictured with bracelet on hand.
• Suicide kit recovered from house in Kattankudy belonging to the brother of NTJ leader Zaharan, Rilwan.
• Mohammed Marsuk Mohammad Rizli, security official of Eastern Province Governor Hisbulla arrested by Modara police for illegally possessing rubber stamps belonging to Govt – bail given for Rs.1lakh surety
• Over 800 artillery shells found at steel factory in Ekala. 100 empty shells of bullets used for T-56 assault rifles found
• Van arriving from Thihariya to Anuradhapura inspected to find white clothing similar to those found in Sainathamaruthu
• Police & Army search in Mt. Lavinia hotel road – 2 Pakistanis arrested without proper identification
• Police STF in Ratmalana inspecting beauty parlour in Borupana find 14 walkie-talkie, 8 CDs and suspected Muslims taken into custody
• Matale-Kalubewela area, Iraqi national in a house arrested without visa
• Nittambuwa – Mohamed Ibrahim arrested with modern drone, laptop camera and recordings of Zaharan Hashims speeches
• Vavuniya – armed forces uniforms, boots and other suspicious items found, suspect arrested
• Anuradhapura – inside mosque army clothing found, 1 Muslim arrested – inside his room more reading material on Osama, US war training & other reading material found
• Welikanda Muslim village – under a tree 2 remote controlled claymore mines found
• Yatiyantota & Ruwanwella equipment to locate mines found – 2 suspects arrested
• Udunuwara hous near Batadeniya Muslim mosque – bombs found – 2 inside house arrested
• Dummalasuriya on tip off by residents parcel thrown over Baragoda bridge – person who threw parcel from trishaw apprehended by residents
• Trincomalee – 10 swords, T56 magazines found – 4 suspects arrested
• Kalutara South – near Kudapalliya mosque swords found
• Aluthgama – Dharga Town 2 suspects arrested with 20 fake NICs
• Moneragala Jumma mosque – police dogs find extremist materials, CDs, Maulavi taken into custody
• Moneragala town – house near mosque in a shop, a truck similar to armed forces with driver taken into custody
• Kadawatha police – Hunupitiya, Enderamulla, 15 suspects arrested with 34 passports, 1 laptop, 102 phones, swords and machetes
• Mannar, Mantai junction near Andampan bridge inspecting a parcel, police find a gun covered in grease
• Kurunegala in a house near Maliyadeva college, a sniper rifle found with swords and machetes hidden in a room upstairs
• Bodies of 10 terrorists who died inside house in Sainthamaruthu buried without religious rituals
• Siddiqui Ahamed Danish, a reuters journalist remanded by Negombo magistrate for forcibly attempting to enter Maris Stella College, Negombo
• Suicide kit discovered inside a house in Kattankudy owned by Rilwan brother of Zaharan Hashim – Leader of NTJ
• TNA MP Mavai Senathiraja requests govt provide extra military security to North (wow what a change of tune)
• 3 staff of a powerful UNP Minister arrested at the Central Mail Exchange with 600 defamatory letters addressed to Buddhist temples.
• Ex-security forces chiefs present report on Easter attacks to the Opposition Leader
• Kalmunakudi in Kalmunai – Mechanical engineer arrested over links to terror acts of 21/4. A car (EP KM 5059) taken to police custody & STF report that blood stains could be observed in car. Mobile phone containing suspicious photos of attack found on suspect
• Pulmudai – Trincomalee – 2 persons arrested along with 89 detonators, 8 tubes of water gel and 2 detonator chargers. One of the arrested was employed as a security guard at the Pulmudai hospital.
• Vehicle check in Vavuniya for vehicles arriving from South after intelligence receives warning that suicide vehicles entering North – 12 motorcycles, 2 vans, 2 cabs, 2 cars, 1 three-wheeler and 1 buddy lorry among 20 vehicles searched.

3^rd May 2019

• Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs Director M R M Malik says there are 1669 Islam ‘madrassas’ & 317 Arabic schools registered under the Dept of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs – how many are illegal
• Central Province NTJ financial controller arrested in Gampola living in rented house close to where Haq brothers, identified as suicide bombers had been hiding. Police find more than 200 transactions from banks since 2017. Haq brothers were hiding in Anuradhapura after the bomb blasts on Easter Sunday had arrived in Gampola & were living in the 2^nd floor of their uncles shoe shop purchased by one of the suicide bombers for Rs.6.5m
• Suspicious car, 5 swords, shotguns, fake NICs, ATMs, machetes, 11 knives, 12g of drugs found – 18 suspects from Alawathugoda, Madawala, Wattegama, Naranwita, Doluwa, Welimada, Nuwara Eliya, Rampadeniya, Maskeliya and Dickoya areas arrested.
• Kurunegala- Arabic language, CDs, DVDs (216pieces), ammunition rounds, mobile phone handsets, two extra batteries recovered
• Polonnaruwa, Kaduruwela, Galella areas – 7 mobile phones, 1 T-56, 9SIM cards, 2 swords, 1 motorbike apprehended during cordon & search operations
• Maligawatte, Colombo 10 recovered 7 swords & suspicious army type uniforms
• Rishard Bathurdeen leaves for Muscat

4^th May 2019

• Micro pistol, 6 bullets, 3 walki-talkies, small axe and sword found at cemetary in Kattankudy – 2 arrested
• 2 suspects arrested after an automatic pistol, 9 bullets, 2 air pistols, air rifle found inside car during search at checkpoint near Sri Rahula ground in Katugastota.
• Muslim Association of Sri Lanka refutes allegations on funding any religious organizations
• 2 Jaffna university students arrested during special security check & remanded
• Beruwela police arrested 2 men & 13 women & seized 4 swords, 2 knives, 8 mobile phones, 1 pair of binoculars, several CDs and Rs.18laksh in cash
• Intelligence reports indicate Islamic extremists in Sri Lanka may plan attack to damage bridges across the island

5^th May 2019

• 250 sets of army uniforms found in a shop in Galle
• Kattankudy – Zaharahn Hashim’s training ground discovered in a 10 acre land. Owner arrested. Next land belonging to brother-in-law who was arrested by Saudi police

6^th May 2019

• CID identifies more than Rs.140m in cash & other assets worth over Rs.7billion belonging to terrorists involved in Easter Sunday attacks. 73 suspects are still being questioned by CID and TID. 54 suspects including 7 women under CID custody. 19 including 2 women under TID custody
• Police raid leased guesthouse ‘Blue Eye Inn’ at Dharmapalapura Road in Nuwara Eliya used for training by Zaharan from leads provided by State Intelligence unit after interrogating individual considered to be one wo provided technological know-how to followers of Zaharan. Sessions attended by 35 participants including those who blew themselves up on Easter Sunday. 2 suspects who indirectly aided Zaharan to conduct classes also arrested.
• Raid at house in Thalapitiya, Galle – 1000 military uniforms, weapons & suspects seized
• Nawalapitiya – 2 swords, hand axe, 6 knives containing a polythene bag, sack at Salem bridge on Mahawelia Riverbank
• 2 men & women arrested – Horowapothana area. Sword and 49 CDs found, Interrogation of Arab school teacher who had close connections to Zaharan, remanded
• 25 acre land in Riditenna area of Valaichchenai police division used for terrorist training. 220 sticks of gelignite, motorcycle & other equipment also seized
• Search in Rathna Udagama, Kirikanduruwatte areas in Rathgama. 3 suspects arrested with 8 swords
• Cache of anti-aircraft bullets found in Vavuniya
• 7 suicide bombers from Kattankudy identified as followers of NTJ arrested in Hambantota – suspects trained very discretely in Hambantota over a long period

7^th May 2019

• Dept of Muslim Affairs informs all mosques not to use loud speakers too loudly to announce azan
• 15 swords surrendered to Beruwela police
• Kilinochchi gun factory raided – locally manufactured guns recovered & owner in factory arrested after raid on illegal arms manufacturing plant in Poonakary in Kilinochchi

8^th May 2019

• Negombo – former SLMC PC Member Shafi Raheem arrested with 8 sophisticated cell phone jamming device
• Rs.3m worth of military uniforms found in Matale

9^th May 2019

• St. Anthony’s Church suicide bomber arrived in vehicle belonging to suicide bomber of Kingsbury hotel. Same vehicle exploded by security forces on 22 April 2019
• Mohamed Aliyar – close associate of Zaharan Hashim arrested in Kattankudy. He carried out financial transactions with Hashim.
• 12 Muslim teachers who refused to change Nikab transferred from Puwakpitiya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya in Avissawella by Western Province Governor Azad Salley
• Kochchikade suicide bomber’s brother among 3 arrested
• Case filed against Secretary of the Ceylon Thowheed Jamaath Abdul Razik arrested in 2016 on charges of inciting religious disharmony & making derogatory remarks to Ven. Gnansara Thero set to be taken up on 25^th July
• Director General of Government InformatioN Nalaka Kaluwewa instructed all media to refrain from broadcasting footage of weapons including swords and knives during search operations
• Aluthgama Dharga Town near mosque – swords and books distorting Buddhism found
• US official injured in Easter attacks succumbs to injuries in Singapore hospital
• US exerting influence internally by taking 9 judges to US alleges MP Gammanpila with names in Parliament

10^th May 2019

• MP Kadar Masthan calls for general amnesty for suspects
• Hartal in Trincomalee demanding removal of Governor Hisbullah
• Suspect living in a luxury house down Galwihara Rd, Dehiwela arrested in Maradana with Rs.8.3m in cash and gold
• Disciplinary action against Wellampitiya police following interim report
• Court orders DNA tests to confirm identities of Shangri-la bombers
• Abdul Razik responds to allegations by Pulasthini’s (Sarah’s) mother. Sarah is wife of Katuwapitiya Church bomber. She was allegedly abducted & forced to convert to Islam according to her mother who said daughter is held by Abdul Razik the secretary of Ceylon Thowheed Jamath. Mother says Razik abducted her and married her to Atchchi Muhammadu Hashtun from Maligawatte. Sarah was names as one of the 6 wanted suspects. She is believed to have died in the Kalmunai house explosion. DNA being carried out to verify identity.
• Buried cache of explosives belonging to Sainthamaruthu bombers found from Kattankudy beach

11^th May 2019

• Malwane – school uniforms, aesthetic CDs found
• 3 day period to hand over illegal explosives to police by 14^th May 19
• More arrests made as search operations continue – suspect arrested in Kattankudy by police who had been trained in Hambantota
• Acting on information provided by Akkaraipattu Police, Navy recover several sharp items, an unidentified grenade, a tablet PC, a personal computer and a binocular from the Morawdi lagoon. During a search operation in Marassana in Thalawathuoya, Navy personnel recovered 365 live ammunition, 72 empty shells along with three magazines. All items handed over to Police for further investigations

12^th May 2019

• Trouble in Chilaw when the residents of the area had objected a social media post to incite disunity among races. The person who made the post was arrested by the police

13^th May 2019

• Curfew in Chilaw
• Police curfew in Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya & Dummalasuriya from midnight 12May to 13th May 6a.m – mob riots
• Social media temporarily banned
• I’m ashamed to see this kind of terrorism from Muslim society – Brigadier Izadeen

14^th May 2019

• TID to record statement from suspect from Karupayya Rajendran Abdulla arrested at Wellampitiya copper factory owned by the suicide bomber at the Shangri-La Hotel. Nine other suspects who were arrested at the said copper factory were granted bail on May 6^th
• Gazette issued banning three groups including NTJ – extraordinary Gazette notification proscribing National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim (JMI) and Willayath As Seylani – now official after 27^th April ban
• Leader of Maha Sohon Balakaya Amith Weerasinghe and the Director of Anti-Corruption Movement Namal Kumara have been arrested
• UN calls on Sri Lankan govt. to ensure situation does not escalate (no statement about swords and weapons being found but just one incident and UN jumps into scene)
• UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng and UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect Karen Smith said they are alarmed about the growing acts of violence on the basis of religion, including attacks against homes, places of worship and businesses, in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka
• An island-wide police curfew will be enforced from 9.00 pm
• Court calls for postmortem of Kochchikade bomber Alawdeen Ahamed, father of the bomber stated that his 22-year-old son had completed basic law education and was qualified to enter the law college. his son left home on the 14th April to go to Kalmunai; however, he had not even phoned the father until his death on Easter Sunday (21 April).
• UK hate preacher Anjem Choudary radicalized Lankan bomber Abdul Latheef Mohamed Jameel, 37, who was from a wealthy family involved in the tea trade: Report. Jameel met the radical preacher while studying at Kingston University. Jameel, a father of four children

15^th May 2019

• SL software engineer provided technical and logistical support to the Easter Sunday suicide bombers was monitored by Indian intelligence agencies three years ago for links with Islamic State suspects. Aadhil Ameez, a 24-year-old, was the link between two groups that carried out the attacks on churches and hotels. Aadhil was arrested in Gujarat on 25 April 2019
• Mohamed Assam Mohamed Mubarak, the bomber at the Kingsbury Hotel aide Mohamed Adam Lebbe arrested with several passports

16^th May 2019

• 97 percent of Zahran’s gang already arrested – Ruwan Wijewardene
• EU concerned about incidents of communal violence in Sri Lanka
• Mohamed Rizwan with close links to Easter Sunday attackers arrested in Mabola
• Wife of Kochchikade suicide bomber Alawddin Ahmed Muath, the 22-year-old law graduate gives birth to their 1st baby on 5 May.  Muath got married 14 months ago
• CID finds 17 safe houses in in Negombo, Katuwapitiya, Panadura, Sarkikamulla, St. Anthony’s Road in Kollupitiya, Tropos Road in Mount Lavinia, Wanathawilluwa, Wattala Enderamulla, Mayura Place in Wellawatte, Sainthamarudhu 09, Malwana, Thihariya, Kalagedihena, Kochchikade Daluwakotuwa, Valachchenai-Ridiyatenna, Sabarathipura in Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola , Katupotha, Ninthavur, and Samanthurai areas. and 7 training camps of terrorists in Wanathavilluwa, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Aruppola, Kattankudy, and Valaichenai areas

17^th May 2019

• He left saying he was going to Canada, Rifkan’s father-in-law. Rifkan a close accomplice of Zahran Hashim –ringleader behind the attacks
• Two suspects – Noor Mohammadu Abdul Rasool and Kana Mohamed Mijam, were identified as a principal and an acting principal of two Muslim schools in the area.with close links to Zahran arrested at Horowpathana
• Karupayya Rajendran Abdulla arrested at Wellampitiya copper factory further remanded.  OIC of Wellampitiya Police, submitting a report to the court, stated that the investigations have uncovered close relations between the Insaf Ahmed, the second suicide bomber at the Shangri-La Hotel and Karupayya Rajendran. Insaf Ahmed has reportedly gifted Rs 200,000 for the Karupayya Rajendran’s wedding – he also had 3 cheques each worth Rs 2.5 million
• Kebethigollawa Magistrates Court allows to detain two suspects Noor Mohammadu Abdul Rasool and Kana Mohamed Mijam, identified as a Principal and an Acting Principal of two Muslim schools linked to Zahran for 72 hours
• Social media ban lifted

18^th May 2019

• On a tip off police discover a stock of 500- 9mm ammunition and army guerilla kits from a Pharmacy in Raja Weediya, Matale
• Parliamentary translator detained for involvement with NTJ in Kurunegala – suspect will be detained for a period of 90 days for purpose of interrogation – He is also reported to be a key speaker in the series of lectures conducted island-wide by the NTJ.

19^th May 2019

• 36 Pakistani deportees escorted to community centre in Vavuniya – on April 25th, nearly 600 Pakistani deportees were also taken to a community centre in Nittambuwa area after being told to leave their houses.

20^th May 2019

• A coconut land in Kurunegala training centre – 6 suspects connected with 21/4 arrested. So far 69 are in CID custody and 20 are in TID custody for questioning
• Weapons and ammo recovered from several areas including Trincomalee
• Zahran’s main organizer ‘Kalmunai Siam’ arrested along with 4 other suspects. ‘Kalmunai Siam’ had trained in Hambantota area and that he is a powerful member of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) organization.

21^st May 2019

• Hettipola police arrest Pakistani employed at private company   without proper Visa documentation
• DNA test with daughter confirms Zahran Hashim was killed in Shangri-La bombing
• FR Petition filed by a father, who had lost his son and daughter in the Easter Day terrorist attack, against IGP & fmr Defence Secretary for failing to prevent the attacks on churches and hotels even when intelligence information had forewarned.to be considered on May 31

As you can see there are safe houses and training cells operating throughout the island in virtually all provinces. Scores of foreigners are emerging in rural Sri Lanka, what are they preaching? Businessmen have also been linked as funding these terror organizations – who are they why are they not being exposed. All entities be they mosque, madrassas, schools, businesses, shops ets with links must be shut down for good and necessary legal action taken against them.

In the meanwhile, the Govt has a lot more to do about the victims of Easter Sunday. The dead are gone but there are families who are traumatized and some are unable to work. There are children without parents. The Church may have enough money but there are hearts needed to reach out to these innocent people – to share their sorrow and pain and help them salvage what they have left and move on however difficult it is. For this some special program needs to be created under the auspices of the Church and more than money people’s kindness is what is now required while it is good for people to offer scholarships to children who may need it, employment and other necessities in a humane way. Hopefully organizations do not turn this into an opportunity for them to raise funds for personal benefit as a means of tax evasions which is generally what happens with most charity funds.

The people must exert pressure on the government to hold a Commission of Inquiry into the failures of preventing Easter Sunday and hold every single person accountable for the deaths of innocent people.

Shenali D Waduge

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48002169