The suicide bombers were identified as members of Islamist militant groups based in Sri Lanka, but Islamic State claimed responsibility. Although Islamic State gave no evidence to back up its claim, Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that he believed the group orchestrated the attacks that plunged Sri Lanka in a nightmare. "Save us from the Satans who are trying to destroy our nation," the Christian worshippers in Batticaloa chanted. But a mass was held behind closed doors at St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo, the third church bombed that day. The suicide bomber who attacked the congregation in Zion Church was from the neighbouring town of Kattankudy just across a lagoon from Batticaloa.

Source: The Star May 05, 2019 09:20 UTC