Govt. says coordinated suicide attacks

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana and Hafeel Farris   
Whilst remaining silent on the probe and the outcome of the gruesome incidents and those who were responsible, the government admitted that coordinated attacks involving suicide blasts had taken place.   

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene addressing a special meeting to brief all heads of media at the Ministry of Defence said yesterday afternoon that all relevant measures are being taken to bring the situation under control though they could not divulge much at the moment concerning the sensitivity of the issue.   

However, responding to the repeated queries by the media heads who pointed out the fact that the chances of spreading false information is high, the minister admitted that it was a coordinated attack with suicide blasts involved.   

The Minister however ruled out any foreign link behind the attack as many speculated an ISIS involvement in the string of explosions said that State Intelligence Service are constantly updating the National Defence Council on the prevailing situation.   

Asked whether the government or its intelligence agencies have a clue of such an attack the Minister said that the investigators are already investigating all possible leads to the series of events.   

He said preliminary investigations had revealed that most of the attacks had been carried out as suicide blasts including that of the one in Colombo.   

The authorities revealed that seven persons had been arrested on suspicion in connection with the string of attacks but denied to divulge more about their identity.   

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said the Police Chief had informed certain police stations about some information related to a possible attack and the authorities were working on that.   

The Secretary however said that they had the least idea whethert such an incident would take place.