• 85 suspects, including Zaharan’s wife, held by CID and TID
• Owner of van linked to Kochchikade Church attack arrested in New Kattankudy
• 17 safehouses used by bombers found  
  
   

Police yesterday said investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were progressing well with 85 suspects being held by both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Terrorism Investigation Department (TID). 

“Sixty-five suspects are being held and questioned by the CID, which includes eight women and 20 with the TID. Two women are among those held by the TID. This includes Zaharan’s wife Abdul Cader Sadia, who is being held by the CID. Her medical treatment is also ongoing, and her child is with her as no guardian has come forward to look after her,” Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. 

Police had also arrested the man linked to the van that was rigged with explosives and left outside the St. Anthony’s Church. Security forces were alerted about the van but it exploded while the bomb disposal squad was on its way a day after the Easter Sunday attack. A person by the name of Mohammad Adam Lebbe was arrested for having assisted in procuring the van. 

“There are only a few more arrests to be made and the investigations are proceeding well,” Gunasekera assured. 

Police had also identified 17 safehouses used by the Easter Sunday bombers. They were located around the country, including in Katuwapitiya (Negombo), Sarrikamulla (Panadura), St. Anthony’s Road (Colombo 3), Templer’s Road (Mt. Lavinia), Wanathvilluwa, Ederamulla (Wattala), Mayura Place (Colombo 6), Sainthamaradu, Malwana, Daluwakotuwa, Valachchenai, Ridiyathenna, Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Katupotha, and Samanthurai.

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