TruthTheOnlyDefense
BANNED
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2017
- Messages
- 3,056
- Reaction score
- -4
- Country
- Location
The Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka were intended as retaliation for last month's attack against Muslims in Christchurch, according to initial investigations by the Sri Lankan government.
At least 321 people were killed in eight separate attacks on Sunday, including two Australians.
Sri Lanka's state minister for defence Ruwan Wijewardene today told parliament the bombings were a direct response to the March 15 attacks on two mosques in the New Zealand city.
"We believe (the attack) was carried out by an extreme Islamist group as a reprisal to the Christchurch mosque massacre in New Zealand," Mr Wijewardene said.
"This group is known to have links to an organisation named National Thowheed Jamath.
"We should take immediate steps to ban any such organisation that have links to extremist elements."
St Sebastian's Church was extensively damaged in a blast in Negombo, north of Colombo. (AP)
The explosions took place during busy Easter services at Christian churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and in three five-star hotels in the capital.
The Christchurch attack by an Australian white supremacist gunman left 50 Muslim worshippers dead, in what was the New Zealand's worst-ever mass shooting.
The explosions took place during busy Easter services at Christian churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and in three five-star hotels in the capital.
The Christchurch attack by an Australian white supremacist gunman left 50 Muslim worshippers dead, in what was the New Zealand's worst-ever mass shooting.
Explosions occurred in eight different locations in Sri Lanka. (AP/AAP)
Much remains unclear about National Thowheed Jamath, the little-known group accused of being behind the blasts.
Its leader, alternately known as Mohammed Zahran or Zahran Hashmi, became known to Muslim leaders three years ago for his incendiary speeches online.
"It was basically a hate campaign against all non-Muslims," said Hilmy Ahamed, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka's vice president.
"Basically, he was saying non-Muslims have to be eliminated."
Zahran's name was on one intelligence warning shared among Sri Lankan security forces, who apparently even quietly took their growing concerns to international experts as well.
Floral tributes to the victims of the Christchurch massacre. (Getty)
The news comes as authorities in Sri Lanka are further increasing security measures.
Police have issued orders that anyone parking a car on the street and leaving unattended must put a note with their phone number on the windscreen.
Postal officials meanwhile said they would no longer accept pre-wrapped parcels for mailing.
The country is under a state of emergency and the military is operating under enhanced war-time powers following the attacks, which also wounded hundreds.
With AAP, Associated Press
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2019
https://www.9news.com.au/world/sri-...rld-news/d780202e-9425-42fa-bee7-6e0a52271956
At least 321 people were killed in eight separate attacks on Sunday, including two Australians.
Sri Lanka's state minister for defence Ruwan Wijewardene today told parliament the bombings were a direct response to the March 15 attacks on two mosques in the New Zealand city.
"We believe (the attack) was carried out by an extreme Islamist group as a reprisal to the Christchurch mosque massacre in New Zealand," Mr Wijewardene said.
"This group is known to have links to an organisation named National Thowheed Jamath.
"We should take immediate steps to ban any such organisation that have links to extremist elements."
St Sebastian's Church was extensively damaged in a blast in Negombo, north of Colombo. (AP)
The explosions took place during busy Easter services at Christian churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and in three five-star hotels in the capital.
The Christchurch attack by an Australian white supremacist gunman left 50 Muslim worshippers dead, in what was the New Zealand's worst-ever mass shooting.
The explosions took place during busy Easter services at Christian churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and in three five-star hotels in the capital.
The Christchurch attack by an Australian white supremacist gunman left 50 Muslim worshippers dead, in what was the New Zealand's worst-ever mass shooting.
Much remains unclear about National Thowheed Jamath, the little-known group accused of being behind the blasts.
Its leader, alternately known as Mohammed Zahran or Zahran Hashmi, became known to Muslim leaders three years ago for his incendiary speeches online.
"It was basically a hate campaign against all non-Muslims," said Hilmy Ahamed, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka's vice president.
"Basically, he was saying non-Muslims have to be eliminated."
Zahran's name was on one intelligence warning shared among Sri Lankan security forces, who apparently even quietly took their growing concerns to international experts as well.
Floral tributes to the victims of the Christchurch massacre. (Getty)
The news comes as authorities in Sri Lanka are further increasing security measures.
Police have issued orders that anyone parking a car on the street and leaving unattended must put a note with their phone number on the windscreen.
Postal officials meanwhile said they would no longer accept pre-wrapped parcels for mailing.
The country is under a state of emergency and the military is operating under enhanced war-time powers following the attacks, which also wounded hundreds.
With AAP, Associated Press
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2019
https://www.9news.com.au/world/sri-...rld-news/d780202e-9425-42fa-bee7-6e0a52271956
