Police clarifies release of copper factory workers

Colombo (News 1st); Law enforcement agencies arrested 268 people connected to the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks and 195 suspects were remanded by the courts, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana.

73 suspects are detained in terms of the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) by the Criminal Investigations Department and the Terrorist Investigations Division, conducting investigations on the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks. DIG Ajith Rohana said law enforcement successfully completed several investigations with regard to the explosions at Kochchikade, Katuwapitiya, Batticaloa, the Shangri-La Hotel, the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, the Kingsbury Hotel, and in Dehiwala. Authorities are further conducting investigations into religious extremism related to these cases, said the Deputy Police Chief. Commenting on a newspaper article on the release of 10 suspects employed at a factory owned by the father of suicide bombers, DIG Ajith Rohana said the suspects were arrested on mere suspicion by the Wellampitiya Police and they were released three days after the arrest. One of them was detained at the remand prison, said Deputy Police Chief. He said the 10 suspects were released as there was no connection between them and the attacks. However, the links and other criminal activity of the 268 arrested suspects have been disclosed by detectives and the charges can be framed against them, said the Police Spokesperson.