Sri Lanka Attacks: Police Looking For 140 People With Links To Islamic State

26 April 2019, 07:12 | Updated: 26 April 2019, 07:13

A soldier guards a mosque that had been used as a shelter by Muslims fearing reprisals following the Easter Sunday attacks.
A soldier guards a mosque that had been used as a shelter by Muslims fearing reprisals following the Easter Sunday attacks. Picture: PA

The Sri Lankan president has said police investigating the Easter Sunday bombings are looking for 140 people believed to thought to have links with the Islamic State group.

Maithripala Sirisena said some of those believed to be involved in the attacks had links going back to 2013, and that top defence and police chiefs had not shared intelligence with him about the impending attacks.

Authorities say the suspected leader of those terror attacks, which killed more than 250 people, died in one of the blasts.

Nine bombers co-ordinated blasts targeting churches and hotels, killing 253 people - including eight Britons.

The Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday bombings.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says he hopes it'll be possible to change this, once the current security operation has concluded.

The ongoing security operation has prompted the UK to advise Britons against travelling there.

An estimated 8,000 British tourists are in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Office urged them to keep a low profile, avoid crowded public places and remain vigilant.

It is not yet known if travel companies will make special arrangements to bring travellers back to the UK earlier than planned.

Colombo Airport is continuing to operate but with increased security checks and long queues.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gino D'Acampo

TV chef Gino D'Acampo accused of 'unacceptable' and 'distressing' behaviour spanning 12 years

Exclusive
'I feel like Mrs Bates VS The Council': Pub landlady considers legal action over council flooding team's 'lack of action'

'It's like Mrs Bates VS The Council': Pub landlady considers legal action over council flooding team's 'lack of action'

Liz Kendall

Too many people on benefits are 'taking the mickey' - but there are more people who want to work, says minister

Exclusive
Lauren Selkirk

School refuses to tell mum why staff member 'removed' after incident involving her daughter, 5, and social workers

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Bianca Censori shares true feelings towards Kanye West's nude Grammys stunt

Landlords face £6k bill to meet higher energy efficiency standards on rental homes by 2030 under government plans

Landlords face £6k bill to meet higher energy efficiency targets under government plans

Pope Francis meets Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at the Vatican on April 4, 2017.

King Charles and Queen Camilla to meet Pope Francis during state visit to Italy

A British couple was reportedly found dead by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

British couple found dead inside 'isolated' French villa in 'feared burglary gone wrong'

Exclusive
Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards' early to 'ease rush'

Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards early' to 'ease passenger rush'

b

Knife arches in schools are welcome - but who is going to pay for them?

James Evans, 19, left, and Justin Keeling (formerly Evans), 18, right, have admitted to starting a massive fire that sparked a mass evacuation.

Two teens admit starting huge fire that 'ripped residents out of homes' during summer riots

Inga Gehricke, five, went missing following a family barbecue in Germany back in 2015.

Police launch fresh search efforts for missing girl linked to prime Madeleine McCann suspect

v

School named after Prince Andrew set to rebrand to something less 'controversial'

The Princess Royal during a visit to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to thank the team of doctors, nurses and health professionals who treated her following her accident in June 2024.

Princess Anne returns to the intensive care unit where she had treatment for head injuries

A utility firm has admitted its equipment started one of the LA fires last month.

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed