Sri Lanka’s president demands resignations of senior officials over terror attack

Police said they performed a controlled explosion near the cinema. (AFP/File)
  • One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday was a woman
  • More than 60 people have been arrested since the rash of Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks

DUBAI: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena asked for the resignations of defense secretary and national police chief after Easter bombings on Wednesday.

Earlier, Sri Lankan police carried out a controlled explosion near Savoy Cinema in Colombo.

There were no explosives in the vehicle, police said.

The Deputy Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene confirmed the details at a press conference in the city.

One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday was a woman, he added.

More than 60 people have been arrested since the rash of Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.

Investigations confirm there were 9 suicide bombers and 8 have been identified, police said.

One of the bombers studied in the UK and Australia.

The United States had no prior knowledge of the Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, but now believes there is ongoing terrorism plotting in the country, Washington's ambassador to Colombo said.
“We had no prior knowledge of these attacks,” Ambassador Alaina Teplitz told reporters in Colombo. “We believe there are ongoing terrorist plots. Terrorists can strike without warning. Typical venues are large gatherings, public spaces.”