Investigators believe that the recent series of deadly attacks in Sri Lanka were carried out by local extremists in response to the fatal shootings at two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch in mid-March, Sri Lankan Minister of Defense and Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene said on Tuesday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2019) Investigators believe that the recent series of deadly attacks in Sri Lanka were carried out by local extremists in response to the fatal shootings at two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch in mid-March, Sri Lankan Minister of Defense and Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene said on Tuesday.
"A preliminary investigation shows that the attacks in the country were carried out by local extremists in retaliation for the terrorist attack in New Zealand's Christchurch," Wijewardene told the parliament, as quoted by news 1st broadcaster.
The minister also demanded that the government immediately ban the National Thowheeth Jamaath extremist group, thought to be responsible for the bombings, in Sri Lanka and list it as a terrorist organization.
Media reported earlier in the day, citing Wijewardene, that the death toll from the Sri Lanka attacks had risen to 321.
On Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka was hit by a series of coordinated bombings in churches and hotels in the capital of Colombo and other cities. These were the worst attacks the country has faced since the end its 25-year-old civil war.
New Zealand was rocked by two mass shootings on March 15 at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch. The tragedy left 50 people dead and another 50 injured. The attack suspect was detained immediately afterward and has since been charged with murder and placed into custody.
