Saudi Arabia Extradites 5 Sri Lankans Wanted in Easter Bombings

Five Sri Lankan nationals sought in connection with the deadly Easter Sunday bombings that left over 250 people dead across the island nation were returned home on Friday in the custody of Sri Lankan police. They were extradited from Saudi Arabia, departing from the city of Jeddah, although it’s not yet known exactly where they were arrested. Sri Lankan police would only say that the arrests had taken place in a Middle Eastern nation. A Sri Lankan police spokesman described the people now in custody as “the five remaining leaders of the April 21 terrorist group.” Responsibility for the coordinated suicide strikes against churches and posh hotels was claimed by Islamic State, although investigators have been blaming two domestic groups associated with extreme Islamist sects. Political upheaval followed the attacks after it was determined that warnings had been received by intelligence officials. It has been reported that some 2,000 people were arrested in connection with the attacks and that over 600 remain in custody.