Sri Lanka to probe Easter bombing lapses

Nine Sri Lankan police officers are to be investigated over security lapses in the lead-up to the Easter Sunday bombings, which killed more than 250 people.

Sri Lanka's main prosecutor has directed the acting police chief to carry out an investigation into nine officers suspected of failing to help prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.

More than 250 people including 42 foreigners were killed in the attacks, for which Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

The bombings sent shock waves through the Indian Ocean island state, which had enjoyed relative peace since a civil war ended a decade ago.

"You are hereby directed to initiate criminal investigations with regard to the lapses of the above officers to prevent/minimise the above attacks," the Attorney General wrote in a letter to the acting police chief seen by Reuters.

The letter named the nine senior police officers.

Despite three advance intelligence reports from India on pending attacks, Sri Lanka's top defence officials failed to act before the Easter day suicide bombings by Islamist militants that targeted three churches and three luxury hotels.

Authorities said the attacks were carried out by two little-known domestic groups - the National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim.

Authorities say the threat of more attacks has been contained and the security services have dismantled most of the network linked to the bombings.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Sri Lanka to probe Easter bombing lapses | SBS News