Sri Lanka Easter attack was targeted towards Indians, says PSC report

Report from Sri Lanka’s Parliament Select Committee (PSC) has me a shocking revelation that Indian High Commission and a hotel frequented by Indians were one of  targets of Easter bombing of April 21 that killed more than 250 people including 40 foreigners.  reports said, “intelligence information received indicated that Indian High Commission was to be one of potential targets."  report has also blamed President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena for undermining national security and failing to prevent Easter attack, as intelligence ncies h prior information on a possible terror attack.

RE: Easter bombings in Sri Lanka likely to be NIA's first case post amendment of Act

'Intelligence ncies were aware of potential terror attack'

Excerpts from  reports say, “Testimony received by PSC demonstrates that intelligence teams were aware of potential threats by Zahran, his associates and NTJ (National Thowheed Jamaat) prior to Easter bombings. Testimony also indicates to several intelligence ncies being aware of increasing extremism in Sri Lanka and role of Zahran and his associates in this regard.”

report also slammed President Maithripala Sirisena for failing in "numerous occasions to give leership" and "actively undermined government and systems having hoc NSC meeting and leaving out key individuals from meetings" 

WATCH: 'I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again,' PM Modi's mess as he pays tribute to victims of Easter bombings at St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo

Easter Bombing attack 

On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, suicide terrorist bombings that took place in three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka killed around 277 people (including 8 suicide bombers) and wounded more than 400 people as per information in report. At least 40 foreign nationals and at least 45 children were reported to be among de. Investigators identified Zahran Hashim, founder of National Thowheed Jamaath, as mastermind behind execution of se coordinated attacks. Subsequent to attacks, incidents of ethnic violence and tension targeting Muslim community occurred in several parts of country. 

Ahe of Easter bombings, An explosion took place in Palamunai, Kaththankudy, on night of April 16, where a two-wheeler (actually a Scooty) was destroyed. Subsequent investigations revealed that this was a dry run to test timers and detonators.

RE | Up to 200 children in Sri Lanka lost family members in Easter bombings: report

RE | Sri Lanka w safe, all extremists linked to Easter bombings killed or arrested: Security authorities

(With inputs from ncies)