Sri Lanka attacks: ‘Bomb factory’ discovered amid gun battle with suspects

From Sky News, News First, The Telegraph, the Sri Lanka Daily Mirror and Lanka Deepa, a Sinhalese newspaper, but the pictures speak without words. 

A suspected bomb factory has been discovered in Sri Lanka following a gun battle between soldiers and suspects linked to the Easter Sunday bombings.

An explosion was reported during the exchanges in the coastal town of Sammanthurai, 200 miles from the capital, Colombo. A military spokesman said that when troops went to investigate an explosion, they were fired at. 

Among the objects recovered is a banner similar to that of the Islamic State as well as several cans of fuel…a cache of explosives, drones … and robes used in a propaganda video recorded before the bombers detonated in crowded hotels and restaurants. The bombers filmed themselves swearing allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (Isil) before they killed 253 Christians, hotels guests and staff.

Since the suicide bombings at three churches and four hotels on Easter Sunday, in which more than 250 people were killed, police have been carrying out raids across Sri Lanka to find more details about the perpetrators and their supporters.

Police said that 47 swords and military camouflage cloth had been found in a mosque at the Palliyaweediya area in Slave Island.

The illegal stuffs have been found beneath the bed of the chief priest of the mosque. The weaponry and the priest have been brought to the police station and further investigations are being carried out.