Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka Easter bombings

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka which killed at least 321 people and wounded more than 500.

The terrorist organisation made the claim of responsibility via its Amaq news agency late Tuesday.

“The perpetrators of the attack that targeted nationals of the countries of the coalitions and Christians in Sri Lanka before yesterday are fighters from the Islamic State,” the message said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

In a later statement, the group identified the seven suicide bombers by their noms de guerre (false name).

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s defence minister, Ruwan Wijewardene, said the deadly attacks were a response to the recent mass shooting of Muslim worshippers in Christchurch in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month.