Colombo: The Sri Lankan government on Thursday said four of its citizens arrested in India last week by Gujarat authorities on charges of links with the Islamic State terror group had no record of being "religious extremists" or drug addicts.
Speaking to reporters in the eastern city of Ampara, Defense Secretary Kama Ginaratne said Sri Lankan authorities were also asked to check the background of those arrested in India and accordingly after investigation it was found that they were involved in the drug trade. Were involved in. We do
“We are currently investigating them. We have found that he is badly addicted to drugs. They are not religious extremists.
Police arrested two more suspects from the north-western region on 2 May, while one suspect was already in their custody.
Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad arrested four Sri Lankans with links to ISIS from Ahmedabad Airport. All four people had taken an IndiGo flight from Columbus to Chennai on May 19.
Sri Lankan security forces suspect that a 46-year-old man – identified as Osman Gerrard – acted as his handler and helped in his movement from Lanka to India. Police have also announced a cash reward for information leading to four suspected operators arrested by the Indian. Officer.
Gunaratne said the defense establishment would not leave room for any attack, such as the 2019 Easter Sunday attack by a local jihadist group in which over 270 people, including Indians, were killed.
The commission of inquiry appointed after the attack was told that the 2019 attack took place despite advance warning by Indian intelligence services to Sri Lankan defense officials.
Speaking to reporters in the eastern city of Ampara, Defense Secretary Kama Ginaratne said Sri Lankan authorities were also asked to check the background of those arrested in India and accordingly after investigation it was found that they were involved in the drug trade. Were involved in. We do
“We are currently investigating them. We have found that he is badly addicted to drugs. They are not religious extremists.
Police arrested two more suspects from the north-western region on 2 May, while one suspect was already in their custody.
Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad arrested four Sri Lankans with links to ISIS from Ahmedabad Airport. All four people had taken an IndiGo flight from Columbus to Chennai on May 19.
Sri Lankan security forces suspect that a 46-year-old man – identified as Osman Gerrard – acted as his handler and helped in his movement from Lanka to India. Police have also announced a cash reward for information leading to four suspected operators arrested by the Indian. Officer.
Gunaratne said the defense establishment would not leave room for any attack, such as the 2019 Easter Sunday attack by a local jihadist group in which over 270 people, including Indians, were killed.
The commission of inquiry appointed after the attack was told that the 2019 attack took place despite advance warning by Indian intelligence services to Sri Lankan defense officials.
