Government was aware of attack, adequate precautions were not taken - PM

Colombo (News1st) - Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement in Colombo a short while ago notes that the government was aware of information regarding a possible attack and that adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the attack. While noting that international leaders had reached out to extend their assistance to Sri Lanka, the Premier stated that assistance will be required to ascertain if the terrorists responsible for the attacks received help from overseas. Responding to a question raised by a journalist Wickremesinghe stated that the Police would release details of the persons responsible for the attack following their investigations but added that according to the information he has received the perpetrators are locals. The Prime Minister noted that 8 individuals have already been taken into custody and that steps have been taken to prevent any further instability in the country. He added that it is time to hold our unity as Sri Lankans and work to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. The 8 explosions that rocked the country have claimed the lives of 218 including 35 foreign nationals.