Parliament official arrested over links with NTJ

In a shocking development, a Sri Lankan parliament official was among the six persons arrested by the police for their alleged involvement with the banned Islamic extremist group, National Thawheed Jama'ath (NTJ). 

The group has been held responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks in the country that claimed the lives of at least 250 people. 

During the initial probe, Kurunegala Police had arrested three suspects following the discovery of a NTJ training facility at a coconut estate after they had received a tip-off, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told media. 

Gunesekara added that the suspects, including the land owner, had been arrested on May 9 and continue to be on remand till May 25 after being produced before a court. 

The three suspects later revealed to the cops details related to two individuals connected with the case, including a Kurunegala hospital staffer. 

The questioning of the two suspects eventually led to the arrest of an individual in Alawathugoda area last Saturday, news agency PTI reported. Cops identified the suspect as an employee of the Parliament Hansard Department. 

The arrested individual had been employed at the Parliament over the last 12 years. The cops have reportedly discovered that the Parliament staffer was the main preacher of the NTJ and had even conducted preaching sessions related to the group across the island country.

The man was arrested by northwestern Kurunegala police, who have obtained a detention order for 90 days for his questioning the police spokesperson added. The 42-year-old accused is said to be a father of two children and a resident of Alawatugoda in the central district of Kandy. 

Nine suicide bombers had carried out multiple blasts across three hotels and three churches on Easter Sunday (April 21), killing at least 250 people. Terror group ISIS had claimed responsibility for the bombings, however, the Sri Lankan government has blamed the NTJ for the attack.

The government of Sri Lanka had banned the NTJ following the heinous attacks with cops arresting 100 people in connection with the case.