153 still in detention over Easter attacks

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – A total of 153 persons arrested in relation to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks still remain in Police custody.

According to Police, 216 persons including seven females have been arrested thus far over the deadly bombings.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Police headquarters, Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said 12 teams have been investigating the attacks that were orchestrated by Zahran Hashim. Nearly 600 complaints have also been recorded pertaining to the 2019 April bombings.

A total of 278 persons including 30 foreign nationals were killed in the attacks while 567 persons sustained injuries.

DIG Ajith Rohana said the Criminal Investigations Department, the Terrorist Investigation Division and the Colombo Crimes Division have been investigating the incidents.

He said six persons involved in the incident were brought from the United Arab Emirates while Police are also investigating to apprehend four Maldivian nationals who are connected to the Easter Sunday bombers.

DIG Ajith Rohana added that the International Criminal Police Organization or INTERPOL, the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States and the Australian Federal Police have also been supporting the local law enforcement authorities to investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.