International drug dealers behind Easter Sunday attacks: Sri Lankan President

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asserted that international drug dealers were behind the Easter Sunday attacks as he continued with his anti-drug drive.

Addressing a programme in Nuwara Eliya on Monday, Mr Sirisena said drug barons carried out the attack to discredit him and discourage his anti-narcotics drive.

He said, illegal drug trafficking is the simplest and the easiest way to destroy a country but added that he will not be deterred.

The comments came as the



President has taken a tough stand against drug traffickers and ordered death penalty be implemented for four accused but the matter has been stayed by court amidst opposition by some political parties and international organizations.

Investigations so far have revealed that the Easter Sunday attacks were carried out by local fundamentalist groups though ISIS had claimed responsibility for it.

Over 260 people, including 45 foreigners, were killed in coordinated attacks on churches and hotels across the country.