Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne that three suspects including the brother of the Kochchikade Church suicide bomber have been arrested and detained.
The CID told the Colombo Chief Magistrate that they were wanted in connection with the deadly suicide attack on St.Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade.
The Chief Magistrate ordered the CID to produce the three suspects including the brother of the suicide bomber before courts on May 23 for judicial observation.
The CID obtained a detention order from the Secretary of Defence for a period of three months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The suspects were arrested for aiding and abetting the suicide bombers.
The CID further stated that DNA reports have been called to confirm the identity of the suicide bomber who attacked the church. The investigators also told Court that it has been found that the suicide bomber who blew himself up inside St. Anthony’s Church had arrived in a vehicle belonging to the suicide bomber who attacked the Kingsbury Hotel.
The CID informed Court that they have begun an investigation regarding the explosion inside a vehicle parked near the Kochchikade Church on April 22.
The CID also stated that they had obtained CCTV footage in this regard. The CID stated that several parts of the exploded vehicle have been sent to the Government Analyst for an analytical report.
The CID further told Court that they had found that the owner of the vehicle had died during the bomb blast at Kingsbury Hotel.
Add new comment