US warns Sri Lanka this weekend against more terrorist attacks on places of worship
On Thursday, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka warned that places of worship could be targeted for militant attacks over the coming weekend, as police were searching for more suspects in the Islamic State’s claimed Easter suicide bombings that killed more than 350 people.
The authorities in Sri Lanka report that there may be additional attacks targeting places of worship. More attacks on Sri Lanka could be carried out, according to US Embassy Colombo.
The strong warning came as Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told The Associated Press that he believed militants remained on the loose in the island nation off India’s southern tip, probably with access to explosives.
“We’ve rounded up a lot of suspects, but active people are still on the run,” Wickremesinghe said in an interview. “With them they may have explosives, so we need to find them,” said Wickremesinghe. Meanwhile, the police issued a public call for information on three women and one man suspected of being involved in the Easter bombings.
Throughout Colombo and Negombo, the seaside town north of the capital where a bombing killed 110 people, residents and office workers stayed indoors and closed shops on Thursday, leaving both towns unusually quiet.
The group of Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. Authorities remain unsure of the involvement of the group, although they investigate whether the local bombers were advised, funded or guided by foreign militants.
