The four suspects arrested in India on suspicion of maintaining links with terrorist groups are drug addicts and not religous extremists, Defence Ministry Secretary, General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne said.

Speaking to media, Gunaratna said that a comprehensive investigation into the incident is underway.

“Our intelligence is vigilant regarding this matter. There is a thorough investigation into the four individuals who went to India, and their associates are also being investigated,” Gunaratne said.

“I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. However, the four arrested individuals are drug addicts and not religious extremists. There is no connection as such,” he said.

However, he said that investigations are ongoing based on the intelligence received from India.

“As the Defence Secretary I can guarantee the public that we are vigilant about our national security. There will be no repetition of incidents like the Easter Sunday attacks,” Gunaratne said. (Newswire)

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A lecturer at the Kotelawala Defence University who was arrested over a statement made about four Sri Lankans with suspected links to the terrorist outfit ISIS, who were arrested in India, has been granted bail.

According to the Police, the lecturer who was arrested by officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.  

The Police said the lecturer was arrested for having allegedly made a false and controversial statement during a televised interview recently. 

His comments were about the four ISIS suspects who were apprehended in Ahmedabad last Monday, following a bomb threat uncovered by local authorities.

Indian media reported that the terror activities were reportedly targeting the city’s airport as well as the Narendra Modi Stadium, which was hosting Indian Premier League matches.

The Hindu reported that the arrested Sri Lankans were alleged members of the National Thawheed Jamaath, the organisation accused of carrying out the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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A special Police Committee has been appointed to probe if there were individuals linked to the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Sri Lanka, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon said.

Speaking to reporters in Kaduwela, IGP Tennakoon said the special committee consists of officers from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), State Intelligence Service (SIS), and the Special Task Force (STF).

Stating that daily briefings were taking place on the ongoing probe, IGP Tennakoon said instructions were being issued based on new findings and that a comprehensive investigation was underway.

IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon made the remarks responding to questions raised on the arrest of four Sri Lankans in India last week for suspected links to ISIS.

When inquired about media reports claiming that the suspects had links to the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, IGP Tennakoon said there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove the claim. 

The IGP revealed that instructions have been issued to the Police to investigate the claims by examining the report by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Attacks. 

IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon also assured that there was no need for the public to panic over the recent ISIS-related arrests in India. 

The suspects, detained by Indian authorities, are 33-year-old Mohammad Nusrat from Periyamulla, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran from Grandpass, 35-year-old Mohammad Farish from Maligawatte and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Kotahena.

Among them, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran was identified as the son of Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ a notorious criminal sentenced to death for the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya in 2004. 

The four ISIS suspects were apprehended in Ahmedabad on Monday, following a bomb threat uncovered by local authorities. Indian media reported that the terror activities were reportedly targeting the city’s airport as well as the Narendra Modi Stadium, which was hosting Indian Premier League matches.

The Hindu reported that the arrested Sri Lankans were alleged members of the National Thawheed Jamaath, the organisation accused of carrying out the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has arrested a suspect in Colombo linked to the ISIS suspects detained earlier this week in Ahmedabad, India.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the 44-year-old suspect was detained and that the suspect is currently being questioned by the TID.

DIG Thalduwa stated that Sri Lankan authorities are working closely with Indian authorities on the investigation, noting that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has appointed a special team, led by a Senior DIG, to probe the incident.

Sri Lanka Police plan to record statements from several individuals in Sri Lanka who are reportedly connected to the arrested suspects.

Four Sri Lankans were arrested in India this week for suspected links to ISIS, following a tip off on alleged terror attacks at the city’s airport and a sports stadium.

The suspects detained by Indian authorities, are 33-year-old Mohammad Nusrat from Periyamulla, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran from Grandpass, 35-year-old Mohammad Farish from Maligawatte and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Kotahena.

Among them, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran has been identified as the son of Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ a notorious criminal sentenced to death for the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya in 2004, as reported by Newsfirst.

Indian media reported that all four suspects were alleged members of the National Thawheed Jamaath, the organisation accused of carrying out the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan authorities have revealed that one of the four Sri Lankans arrested in India this week for suspected links to ISIS is the son of a notorious underworld figure, Newsfirst reported.

The suspects, detained by Indian authorities, are 33-year-old Mohammad Nusrat from Periyamulla, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran from Grandpass, 35-year-old Mohammad Farish from Maligawatte and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Kotahena.

Among them, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran has been identified as the son of Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ a notorious criminal sentenced to death for the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya in 2004. 

Further investigations revealed that Nafran, a school dropout, began frequent travel to India to purchase clothing materials for resale in Sri Lanka. 

In 2017, he was arrested by Sri Lankan Police on charges filed under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act. 

The four ISIS suspects were apprehended in Ahmedabad on Monday, following a bomb threat uncovered by local authorities. Indian media reported that the terror activities were reportedly targeting the city’s airport as well as the Narendra Modi Stadium, currently hosting Indian Premier League matches.

The Hindu reported that the arrested Sri Lankans were alleged members of the National Thawheed Jamaath, the organisation accused of carrying out the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. 

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