1 week Ago By Sahan Weerasooriya
United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US has identified Maulavi (Islamic preacher) Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad Naufer as the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Addressing the media at his Narehenpita office, the former Minister pointed out that the FBI had also identified the Ibrahim family as the main source of funding for the Eastern Sunday suicide attackers. Ranawaka said that Ibrahim had been granted bail though two of his sons carried out suicide attacks and his pregnant daughter-in-law triggered a blast at their Dematagoda residence when police raided the place a couple of hours after the attacks on churches and hotels.
Underscoring the importance of the FBI findings made in respect of four deaths caused by the blasts and action filed against three persons, including Maulavi Naufer, Ranawaka said that the NPP government’s narrative was contrary to that of the US. Ranawaka said that the FBI had extensively used technical data to link Maulavi Naufer and the ISIS as well as other parties. The former Minister said that he intended to reveal the Ibrahims links with politicians and political parties.
According to him, the government couldn’t reveal those involved before 21 April, as promised by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, because his administration was also involved to a certain extent. Ranawaka also found fault with former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for obstucting and discouraging those investigating the Easter Sunday carnage, after having promised to restore national security in the wake of suicide attacks. (SF).
