US envoy in Lanka fears more attacks

colombo — The US ambassador to Sri Lanka said on Tuesday that some of the militants behind Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people were likely still at large and could be planning more attacks.

Sri Lankan security forces said they were maintaining a high level of alert amid intelligence reports that the militants were likely to strike before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which is due to begin next Monday.

“Tremendous progress has been made towards apprehending those plotters but I don’t think the story is over yet,” Ambassador Alaina Teplitz said.

“We do believe that there is active planning under way,” she said, referring to the possibility of more attacks.

Scores of suspected militants have been arrested in the multiethnic island nation since April 21 suicide bomb attacks on hotels and churches. Among the dead were 42 foreign nationals.

“Security will stay tight for several days because military and police are still tracking down suspects,” a senior police intelligence official said.

Meanwhile, the government has lifted a ban on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber, a source at the president’s office said.

Catholic Church said public masses will resume on Sunday under tight security, two weeks after Easter bombings. —

Tremendous progress has been made towards apprehending those plotters but I don’t think the story is over yet

Alaina Teplitz, US Ambassador