Colombo - The bodies of 15 people, including six children, were discovered at the site of a fierce overnight gun battle on the east coast of Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said on Saturday, six days after suicide bombers killed more than 250 people on the island.
Authorities have warned there could be more attacks targeting religious centres following the bombings, which shattered the relative calm that Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka had enjoyed since a civil war against mostly-Hindu ethnic Tamil separatists ended a decade ago. He said the militants were suspected members of the domestic Islamist group National Towheed Jama'at , which has been blamed for last Sunday's attacks.
"There is a close relationship between religious extremism and illegal drug trade. Our efforts to eradicate the drugs menace from the country could have advanced the ISIS attack," said President Maithripala Sirisena. In a separate raid on a mosque in Colombo, a suspect was arrested and a haul of 40 swords and kris knives were seized from under the bed of the chief cleric, police said.
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told reporters he had seen an internal security document warning of further attacks on churches and said there would be no Catholic masses this Sunday anywhere on the island.
Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia warns more terror attacks 'likely' in Sri Lanka | IOL NewsAustralia warned more terror attacks were 'likely' in Sri Lanka, cautioning citizens against visiting the island nation following ...
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Sri Lanka on knife edge as officials warn of new possible bomb attacks | IOL NewsFive days after coordinated bombings on Easter Sunday left more than 350 people dead, SriLanka remained on edge, as officials warned of new possible attacks.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Fifteen dead in Sri Lanka after gun battle with suspected Islamist militants | IOL NewsThe bodies of 15 people, including six children, were discovered at the site of a fierce overnight gun battle on the east coast of Sri Lanka. This is great progress in finding the perpetrators. Every country should guarantee safety for all its people.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Sri Lanka president to 'restructure' defence forces after bomb blasts | IOL NewsSri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said he would change the heads of the defence forces following their failure to act on the intelligence.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Sri Lanka Easter bomb blasts were revenge for Christchurch attack - minister | IOL NewsDevastating Easter bombings in Sri Lanka were retaliation for attacks on mosques in New Zealand, an official said, as Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly blasts.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Sri Lanka was warned hours before suicide attacks - sources | IOL NewsSri Lankan intelligence officials were tipped off about an imminent attack by Islamist militants hours before a series of suicide bombings killed more than 300 people on EasterSunday, sources said.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Top officials deliberately withheld intelligence on Sri Lanka attacks - minister | IOL NewsSenior officials deliberately withheld intelligence about possible attacks on Sri Lanka, where 359 people died in a spate ...
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Most Sri Lanka bombers were wealthy, highly educated: official | IOL NewsSri Lanka's junior defence minister said many of the suicide bombers who killed more than 350 people on Easter Sunday were ...
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Silent streets after dozens of children killed in Sri Lanka attacks | IOL NewsThe streets of Sri Lanka's Katuwapitiya should be full of the sound of children's games.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
More suspects arrested in Sri Lanka over deadly suicide bomb attacks | IOL NewsPolice have arrested another 16 people in connection to a series of bombings in Sri Lanka over Easter weekend which claimed at least 359 lives.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Sri Lanka says international network behind Easter terror attacks | IOL NewsSri Lanka invoked emergency powers in the aftermath of devastating bomb attacks on hotels and churches, blamed on militants with foreign links.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »