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Sri Lankan soldiers secure an area near St. Anthony's Shrine after a car explosion in Colombo on April 22, 2019. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks on Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 21st), in churches, at Easter Mass, and in hotels. The terrorist organization claims that the perpetrators targeted Christians and nationals of the coalition countries fighting the jihadists. The president spoke to him Tuesday night and announced a redesign of the security services.

With our special correspondent in Sri Lanka, Sébastien Farcis

This is the first speech of President Maithripala Sirisena. A solemn speech last night to, among other things, recognize the failings of the security services to prevent the attacks of Sunday. " The security agencies had foreign intelligence and did not share it with me, " he said.

It refers here to the note of April 10, issued by this service, which clearly mentioned the preparation of terrorist attacks against Catholic churches and against the Indian Embassy by the group of the National Thowheeth Jama'ath , this same local Islamic organization that is accused by the government of perpetrating the attacks, possibly through international logistical support.

This information would come from Indian services, but it does not seem to have been taken to the proper extent by the Sri Lankan authorities. This is certainly due to the open political conflict between the Prime Minister and the President, which has lasted for months, and which prevents the sharing of information. For example, the Prime Minister is no longer invited to meetings of the National Security Council.

Sanctions soon taken

In his speech, the president assured that sanctions would be taken against members of the security services, these services will be restructured. It remains to be seen whether the quarrel at the top of the state, it will also be resolved after this flaw to prevent one of the deadliest attacks in the history of Sri Lanka.

According to the Sri Lankan government, " the first elements of the investigation show that this is a reprisal for the deadly assaults of an extremist in mosques in New Zealand last month ." In addition, 58 people have been arrested since Sunday.

►Also read: Sri Lanka pays tribute to the hundreds of victims of the attacks of Easter