Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Naufer Moulavi, mastermind behind Easter attack : Govt

10 March 2021 11:32 pm - 21     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

-Ibrahim brothers and several int'l orgs funded Thawheed Jamaath

-“Save the Pearl” had provided legal assistance to Zahran and his group

-Wearing of the Burqa will be banned in public places.

-Eleven extremists organisations to be banned

The intelligence services have identified Naufer Moulavi as the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attack while Ibrahim brothers and several international organisations have funded the Thawheed Jamaath to carry out the attack, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today.

He told Parliament that it was revealed that Naufer Moulavi, who was based in Qatar, had provoked Zahran and his followers to carry out the attack by brainwashing them.

He said it was also revealed that two Sri Lankan born Australian nationals Lukman Thalib and his son Lukman Thalib Ahmed had facilitated Zahran to meet four religious extremists in the Maldives.

The Minister said according to intelligence information, these extremists had met Zahran on several occasions from 2016 till the attacks took place and added that Lukman Thalib Ahmed had facilitated the meetings in Sri Lanka.

He said an international organisation called “Save the Pearl” had provided legal assistance to Zahran and his group.

The Minister said 99 suspects have been arrested in Sri Lanka and 35 suspects overseas for directly and indirectly supporting the Easter Attack, under this Government.

He also said 54 Sri Lankan suspects have been arrested in five countries and added that 50 of them have been brought down to Sri Lanka. “The other four will be brought back after legal procedures in those countries are completed," he said.

The Minister said 35 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident where 1,440 swords were brought to Sri Lanka from China. “Cases have been filed against seven of them,” he said.

He said legal action would be taken against all those who were involved in the attack and added that several actions will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure national security in the country.

“Wearing of the Burqa will be banned in public places. Eleven extremists organisations have been identified and steps will be taken to ban them. Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act will be amended in coordination with the Justice Ministry. Madrasas will be regulated,” he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardane)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 21

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Jehan Thursday, 11 March 2021 12:43 AM

    Bs, another Myanmar waiting to happen, when rohingiya were attacked the majority stood still, now there turn to face the music. Good for them.

    Roshan samarathunga Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:05 AM

    Stop blame game time move on learn from past mistakes

    Sri Lankan Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:06 AM

    These are good steps to stop Islamic extremism but do not make a generalisation on this issue.. Not all Islamic groups support this kind of extremism. Please seek advice of experts on this topic of Islamic extremism before ban Islamic groups. I'm afraid that some moderate groups will be included in this ban unless we make a clear distinction between what is moderate and what is extremism.

    Ram Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:24 AM

    Zaharan being brain washed happened after the Defence Ministry assignment to Zaharan ceased would be the defence of then Defence Ninistry. This could be to escape route the Defence Ministry is planning to wash their hands.

    Jude Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:40 AM

    Well, OVER HUNDREDS of suspects arrested BUT so far NOTTA single suspect prosecuted and put behind bars! Ironic huh!!! You guys are famous for hoodwinking the public!! Very good at it !!

    Nagaraja Anbalagan Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:41 AM

    If Naufer Moulavi is the mastermind behind the attack, why should Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi claimed the responsibility for the attack.

    Jude Thursday, 11 March 2021 01:43 AM

    PCol reports, Your promises and ACTIONS roll it and shove it where Sun DON'T shine!! Yeah!!

    Gen Thursday, 11 March 2021 03:00 AM

    The what about GR , BR, and China embassy?? What was their role in the Easter ???

    Chris Thursday, 11 March 2021 03:23 AM

    Sack all inefficient intelligence and law ènfircemebt officers who had to wait till this govt came to power to arrest these people or stop playing politics with National security and be truthful to admit that investigations and arrests were happening since the day of the attack

    Disillusioned Thursday, 11 March 2021 03:52 AM

    @ Jehan, I totally agree with you

    Demuni Uduwara Thursday, 11 March 2021 04:48 AM

    Give us the entire report of the Commission for our perusal which is self-explanatory.

    Joseph fester Thursday, 11 March 2021 04:51 AM

    Religion of peace. They produce suicide bombers in madarasa and most violent religion..

    Era Thursday, 11 March 2021 05:21 AM

    Then why did you hide 22 chapters of the PC report ? Do not talk crap.

    Peacemaker Thursday, 11 March 2021 05:55 AM

    All are suspects, where’s the convicted? Just arrested some pawns, but where are the key people behind the attack? Maybe inside the government?

    Ralaharamy Thursday, 11 March 2021 06:37 AM

    Nagarajah Anbalagan! Your question is very correct. Bagdadi tried to take credit for this crime, but his words and tone was not Bravado. Those were his last words, because later we hear that he was bumped off by CIA. Good riddance.

    Billy Goat Thursday, 11 March 2021 06:46 AM

    Another scapegoat? And who is behind this one?

    MN Thursday, 11 March 2021 07:29 AM

    Forcing eat halal food food to non Muslims should stop immediately,

    Tom Thursday, 11 March 2021 07:31 AM

    Seems Naufer accepted the responsibility to cover real criminal

    Kingsley Wijesinhe Thursday, 11 March 2021 09:50 AM

    MN, no one is forcing non-Muslims to eat halal food. Those who do not like to eat halal food need not eat it, because there is plenty of non-halal food available. Those who wish to eat halal food can eat it. Don't try to create unnecessary issues.

    Non extremist Thursday, 11 March 2021 04:19 PM

    What are we going to do about Sinhala extremist groups.?

    Gamage Thursday, 11 March 2021 04:35 PM

    Punish them.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H