When a series of suicide bombs tore apart churches and hotels across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, most of the country -- and the rest of the world -- was taken completely by surprise. But in the capital, Colombo, it was not a shock to everyone.
Some elements of the government here had known for weeks about warnings of a potential attack on churches and tourist destinations.Intelligence services in India and the US told Sri Lanka of the threat in early April, officials said. One memo compiled by Sri Lankan security officials was so specific that it even gave a list of suspects. In the runup to the holiest day in the Christian calendar, the warnings seemed to increase in frequency and urgency.But none made any difference.
"I think this is the only country in the world where the security council does not like to come when summoned by the Prime Minister of the country," he said. Referring to the warnings about the involvement of the NTJ in a potential attack, Senaratne said he did not believe a local group could have acted alone."There must be a wider international network behind it," he told reporters.
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