Sri Lanka orders fresh probe into Easter suicide bombings

A new investigation into the Easter suicide bombings, which Sri Lanka killed at least 258 people, was ordered by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, fearing that the current probe was not independent due to concerns of the Catholic Church.

The government accused the local armed group NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama & # 39; ath) of attacking three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, but Daesh also claimed responsibility.

Siri Sena said the commission has extensive jurisdiction to collect evidence on bombers and investigate security and information leaks.

The five-member panel is led by an appellate court judge and consists of three other judges and retired officials. You should report back the recommendations within three months.

The investigation began with concerns that the national Catholic Church was not sufficiently independent of parliamentary and police investigations.

A newly launched investigation is being made by the MP's cross section, but many opposition parties have rejected it. They say that this committee is being used by political parties to evade responsibility for failing to stop the attack.

Sirisena, Minister of Law and Order, said that all those responsible for the attack were killed or arrested.

The parliamentary public investigation heard evidence from the intelligence and senior police officials that it ignored the national security issues and did not convene a regular National Security Council meeting.

The president was also accused of jihadists not acting on accurate Indian intelligence to strike Sri Lankan Christian churches and other goals.

Sirisena denied the charges and accused the prime minister of dismissing the chief defense minister and intelligence chief.

Source: AFP