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

All Islamic extremists involved in Easter suicide bombings are eir killed or arrested, Sri Lankan police and military chiefs have claimed, assuring that country is w safe and can get back to rmalcy.

tri-forces commanders and police chief, dressing a press conference on Monday, May 6 night, said security of country following April 21 bombings that left 257 people de has been ensured with equate measures and steps have been taken to implement a special security plan.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne said that all those directly linked to attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels have been arrested or were killed.

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He also said that all explosives believed to be linked to local Islamist outfit National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), blamed for attacks, have been found.

"All explosives possessed by terrorist group has been seized. Almost everyone identified with group have been arrested. Two of ir bomb experts have died in clashes. police can happily anunce that everyone with direct links have been eir arrested or killed by w," Wickremaratne said.

Wickramaratne did t say how many people have been arrested over bombings, but police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday said that 73 people, including nine women, were arrested and being questioned by CID and Terrorist Investigation Department (TID).

police spokesman also said Criminal Investigation Department (CID) identified more than Rs 140 million cash and or assets worth over Rs 7 billion belonging to NTJ.

Islamic State terror group claimed attacks, island nation's worst, but government blamed ISIS linked local Islamist extremist group NTJ.

Wickramaratne, who was named acting police chief last week after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended his predecessor over his failure to act on intellegence warnings about attacks, said country can w get back to rmalcy with lifting of curfews imposed after attacks.

Wickramaratne urged public t to be misled by unverified reports.

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government reopened schools on Monday, but attendance dropped to below 10 per cent in many places with parents still fearing attacks.

Wickremeratne said a joint security operation with schools authorities are underway. He pointed to unverified security fears spre through social media as cause for unfounded security concerns.

Army chief Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake said military has taken steps to ensure national security under emergency regulations.

He said that over past two weeks rmalcy was returning to country and public must t be misled by false claims.

All security measures to ensure safety in country has been taken. security forces were empowered by emergency regulations since attacks," Lt Gen Senanayake said.

Army chief urged public to return to ir day to day activities.

tourism industry leers have urged government to make strong measures to enable industry to revive following Easter Sunday attacks on three leing hotels.

suicide bombers attacked breakfast rooms of Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotels.

attacks in which 44 foreigners including 11 Indians were killed prompted verse travel visories.

At moment most bookings are cancelled, with less than 10 per cent of occupancy we are in trouble," Hoteliers Association president Sanath Ukawatta said.

government has alrey decided on a pack of concessions to tourism industry which contributes 5 per cent of island's GDP.

Tourism Authority said total number of tourist arrivals during April was 166,975. This is an year on year decline of 7.5 per cent as arrivals were 180,429 in April 2018.