Colombo: One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday was a woman, deputy defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene told reporters on Wednesday. The blasts at hotels and churches have so far killed at least 359 people, the deadliest such incident in south Asia's history.
More than 60 people have been arrested since the Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, the leader of the country's parliament said on Wednesday. Lakshman Kiriella, who is also minister of public enterprise, said more than 100 people were likely to be arrested, without giving further details.
Sri Lanka enforced a state of emergency from midnight Monday in the wake of the deadly Easter blasts enhancing the counter terrorism powers of of the security forces. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena. The government had declared Tuesday as a national day of mourning.
The three five-star hotels that were targeted include the luxurious Shangri-La hotel, The Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand, all located in the heart of Colombo. The churches include St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian Church of Negombo andthe Zion Church in Batticaloa.
Four of the bombs went off at roughly the same time on Sunday, at 8:45am, with two others coming within 20 minutes. The explosions at the fourth hotel and the house were in the afternoon.
IS claims responsibility
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka, the group's AMAQ news agency said on Tuesday. The group did not give evidence for its claim.
The president, Maithripala Sirisena, said in a statement the country will seek foreign assistance to track the international links. The Interpol on Monday said it is ready to offer full support to the Sri Lankan authorities in investigating the country's deadliest terror attack.
Prior information
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledged on Sunday that the government had some prior information about possible attacks on churches involving a little-known local Islamist group. A domestic intelligence report dated April 11 and seen by Reuters said a foreign intelligence agency had warned Sri Lankan authorities of possible attacks.
Ten Indians killed
Among those killed, eight were Indians, including a Keralite who was identified as P S Razeena Khadar, 58, a native of Mogral Puthur in Kasaragod district. She was on a holiday in the island nation with her husband, Manorama News reported.
According to the TV report, Razeena was about to join her brother on Sunday after her husband had left for Dubai.
Other Indians who were killed are Vemurai Tulsiram, S R Nagaraj, K G Hanumantharayappa, M Rangappa, Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar, Ramesh, and H Shivakumar.
Foreign nationals killed
Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Kishu Gomes said 33 foreign nationals have been killed in the coordinated attacks believed to be carried out by a single group. Director of the National Hospital Dr Anil Jasinghe identified 12 of the 33 foreign nationals, which include three Indians, two Chinese and one each from Poland, Japan, Pakistan, America, Morocco and Bangladesh.
Also among the fatalities were three people from Denmark, two from Turkey, and one from Portugal, the officials said.
Denmark's richest man Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife lost three of their four children in the attacks, a spokesman for Povlsen's fashion firm said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said US nationals were among those killed, but did not give details.
There are 25 unidentified bodies, believed to be of foreigners, at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer's mortuary, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said.
The US State Department said in a travel advisory "terrorist groups" were continuing to plot possible attacks in Sri Lanka and targets could include tourist spots, transport hubs, shopping malls, hotels, places of worship, airports and other public areas.
Appeal for peace
President Maithripala Sirisena has appealed for calm. "I have been shocked by this totally unexpected incidents. The security forces haven been asked to take all action necessary," Sirisena said. Sirisena said he had ordered the police special task force and military to investigate who was behind the attacks and their agenda. The military has been deployed, and security has been stepped up at Colombo's international airport.
(With inputs from PTI and Reuters)
