New Delhi: 10 days before the Easter bombings, India had sent Sri Lanka a detailed advisory that warned not only of the suicide attacks, but the group involved, the names of its leader and other members. 359 people had died and around 500 wounded in the string of bomb blasts on Sunday that targetted hotels and churches. So far, 60 people have been arrested.
The three-page advisory, which has been accessed by NDTV, had mentioned the group involved as the National Thowheeth Jama’ath. It had the whereabouts of those involved — the addresses of their hideouts, phone numbers and background.
The document, dated April 11, had even mentioned the targets – churches and the Indian High Commission.
The wealth of information made action on it imperative, but none was taken, the Lankan authorities now say.
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena – who was out of the country during the attacks –has said he was not informed about this advisory and he has asked for the resignation of the country’s defence secretary and police chief.
Both officials report to the President.
In an interview to NDTV, Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had admitted that though they received an intelligence warning from India, “it was not conveyed down the line”.
