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Bomb Attacks in Sri Lanka: Who, How, Why

Sri Lankan police were on high alert for last two weeks, fearing that suicide bombers, supposedly from National Thowheeth Jama’ath, might strike prominent churches during the Easter. Two foreign intelligence agencies also reported in early April that radical Muslims those came back from Syria are planning to carry out suicide attacks at prominent churches and high commissions in Colombo. 


The police increased security around important establishments including churches but could not prevent the deadliest attack in the history of the country since the end of the civil war in 2009.

Earlier this year, in January, the police seized a cache of explosives and detonators and arrested four members of National Thowheeth Jama’ath following an intelligent information. This time the perpetrators slipped through.
At least 208 people were killed and 450 were hurt in the explosions at churches and high-end hotels on Sunday, 21 April. Perpetrators were all Sri Lankan nationals. The founder of National Thowheeth Jama’ath, Zahran Hashim, reportedly was involved with the attack.

National Thowheeth Jama’ath is a home grown radical Muslim group. A number of Sri Lankan Muslims joined ISIS in Syria. Some of them came back and formed radical groups in Sri Lanka. National Thowheeth Jama’ath is one of them. The outfit was formed in Muslim-dominated town Kattankudy in 2014. Their connection with Islamic State is unclear but it in evident that the group is influenced by Islamic State's core objectives.

Security officials found a pattern similar to a series of blasts that occurred in Nigeria in 2011 and an attack in Pakistan, indicating involvement of international elements. Islamic State has a history of staging attacks against Christians on holy days, notably Christmas and Easter.

The defense ministry of Sri Lanka ordered a temporary ban on social media and a 12-hour curfew from 6pm to 6am across the country. Security at the airports was enhanced.

Majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists (70.2% +). Hindus make up about 12.6% of the population while fewer than 10% are Muslims and about 7.5% are Christians. Since 2018, there have been several incidents of violence between Buddhists and Muslims.

Take away:
-Churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa cities, and Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand and Shangri La hotels in Colombo were targeted.

 -The air force personnel later defused an improvised explosive near the Bandaranayake Airport in Colombo.

 -The police arrested eight suspects in connection with the attacks.

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