Sri Lanka targets local Islamist group for attacks that killed 290 people

The Sri Lankan government believes that a local Islamist group, the National Thowheeth Jama & Ath (NTJ), is behind the suicide bombings that claimed 290 lives in Sri Lanka.

Local authorities are studying the possible links of this organization with foreign groups. "We do not see how a small organization in this country can do all this"said government spokeswoman Rajitha Senaratne.

"We looked at possible foreign aid (to the group) and its other links, how they trained the suicide bombers, how they made the bombs," he added.

A note sent ten days ago to the Sri Lankan police service, to which AFP had access, warned that the NTJ had prepared attacks against the churches and the embbady of India in Colombo. This information was based on a notice "from a foreign intelligence agency".

The group, little known, was badociated last year with acts of vandalism against Buddhist statues. Sunday's attacks have not been claimed.

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan police discovered Monday 87 detonators in a bus station in the capital, Colombo, the day after the wave of suicide bombings. "87 detonators were found at Bastian Mawatha's private bus station in Pettah", a district of the Sri Lankan capital midway between the hotels and the church where explosions were reported Sunday, announced the police in a statement.

Twelve detonators were scattered on the ground and the other 75 in a garbage bin nearby. "No suspects have been arrested, Pettah police are continuing their investigation." In addition, Sri Lankan police experts disabled an explosive device located inside a vehicle parked near one of the attacked churches on Easter Sunday.

The attacks were perpetrated by seven suicide bombers against churches and luxury hotels. Two suicide bombers blew up their cargo at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo, while the rest were made in three churches and two other hotels.

A fourth hotel and a house in a suburb of Colombo have also been attacked, although the authorities do not know how these attacks were carried out. "The investigations are continuing," Welianga said during a press appearance.

The Sri Lankan presidency announced that from midnight Monday to Tuesday, it would proclaim the state of national emergency in order to focus efforts on the investigation of attacks and the fight against terrorism.

The exception measure includes a series of initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of security forces. In addition, the executive decided to declare Tuesday a day of national mourning for Easter Sunday attacks.