List of 94 NTJ suspects given to IGP in 2017

In 2017 IGP, CNI, Sec. Def and Min. of Law & Order were informed of Zaharan; Witness tells PCoI

by Staff Writer 24-07-2020 | 12:09 AM

Colombo (News 1st); A Senior Senior SIS officer testifying at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks said, on the 31st of October 2017 then Director of the State Intelligence Service sent a report to the then Inspector General of Police which included 94 names of suspected individuals, connected to extremist activities mainly the National Thawheed Jama'ath.

These names included Nawfer Moulavi, Zaharan, and some of his close associates who were the main suspects of the suicide bomb attacks.

The witness said currently out of the 94 names in the list, close to 80% have been arrested.

The SIS officer also added during mid 2017 they identified Zaharan and his group was connected to ISIS and the NTJ and Jamaathe Millathu Ibrahim ( JMI ) had merged to form one group.

The witness said During 2017 the then IGP , CNI, Secretary of Defence and the 2 Ministers of Law and Order during the time were notified through reports about the extremist activities of Zaharan and a possible attack.