WEB DESK
Sri Lankan police today released the names and pictures of nine suicide bombers involved in the Easter day attacks which killed at least 253 people including 42 foreigners. As per the police, the attack was led by Zahran Cassim who caused suicide blast at Shangrila hotel in Colombo.
The bombers carried out attacks at eight locations including three churches and three five-star hotels. Police and armed forces have launched countrywide surveillance in the wake of the attacks and over 160 people have been taken into custody so far.
Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena has said the attacks have caused great sorrow in the hearts of all Sri Lankans and called upon to turn the tragedy into a strength to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Addressing an event in Colombo, the President emphasized that he will fulfill the task of eliminating terrorism from the country, even if he has to put his life at risk. Mr. Sirisena added that he has received the interim report of the committee appointed to probe the attacks and will take immediate necessary action after discussing it with the Attorney General.
The government earlier issued orders preventing any person from preaching religious, extremist or radical ideologies who encourages or glorifies terrorism. The order also banned any foreigner from preaching any such ideology and few persons involved in it have been deported.
As part of it, peace TV operated by Muslim cleric Zakir Naik has been banned and taken off the air by all cable and satellite networks. The channel is already banned in several countries including India.