Six Maldivians arrested in Sri Lanka - report
Six Maldivians have been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities in connection to the terrorist attacks that took place in Sri Lanka last Sunday, Maldivian media reported today.
The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has confirmed to AVAS that the six people were arrested and summoned to Sri Lankan police headquarters for questioning. The ministry did not comment whether the men have been released from police custody after questioning.
According to reports, one of the men was arrested after a library book on terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) was discovered in his home during a home search. Four out of the remaining men were arrested in the Negombo city area, and are all flight engineering students. It has been reported that a type of gun used for hunting was discovered in their home upon searching.
Some reports say the men have not been released from police custody and will be presented to court on Saturday morning to decide on their remand. Four out of the six men are being held at the main police station in Negombo.
320 people died and over 500 people were wounded in a series of bomb blasts that targeted churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Over 40 people have been arrested in connection to the blasts, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the attacks.
Over 15,000 Maldivians reside in Sri Lanka.
Source: Avas
http://www.adaderana.lk/news/54695/six-maldivians-arrested-in-sri-lanka-report
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Don’t withdraw army from North
Former Northern Provincial Council Minister Anandi Shashidharan has requested that the security provided to the North be strengthened and that the army should not be removed from there because of the prevailing situation.
She told the media that the army and police security should be beefed up to ensure the people’s safety though she had earlier urged the government to withdraw the army from the North.
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Ms. Shashidharan said the government should take the complete responsibility for the bomb attacks on Easter Sunday.
“Had the government acted on the intelligence reports they received, it could have averted a disaster of this magnitude,” she said and added that all Sri Lankans should rise together as one nation against terrorism and the government should do its utmost to ensure the safety of all the citizens.
“Those who are from Islamic extremist groups and have links with international terror outfits should be arrested without delay,” Ms. Shashidharan said.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/front_page/Don’t-withdraw-army-from-North/238-166037
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Ban Madarasa Islamic Schools: CBK
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday called for the banning of Madarasa Islamic Schools in Sri Lanka saying the children are taught extremism in those institutions.
Ms. Kumaratunga expressed these sentiments at the all party-all faith conference held at the parliamentary complex last evening.
“Madarasa schools have been existing in Sri Lanka for the last ten years. Children are taught extremism in these schools. I informed about these to the present regime as well but no action was taken,” Ms. Kumaratunga said.
“I have been told that some Muslim children who were studying at Ladies College have left that school and had joined a Madarasa school,” she added.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Ban-Madarasa-Islamic-Schools:-CBK/108-166061