The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (09) that the suicide bombing at Shangri-La Hotel was carried out by Zahran Hashim and Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed.

Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake has ordered the superintendent of Batticaloa Prison to present the sister of Zahran Hashim, the leader of National Thowheed Jamath, to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer for a DNA test to confirm the bomber’s identity. 

The superintendent was given a five-day time period starting from today (10) to bring Hashim’s sister to Colombo.

The CID was also ordered to present Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Yusuf Ibrahim and two brothers, who are currently held in the custody of the CID, to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer for a DNA test.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered the CID to verify their identities through DNA tests on the severed parts of the bombers’ heads found from the site of the attack.

The Magistrate has called for a report of the Government Analyst on two luxury vehicles suspected to have been used by the bombers for the attacks and five other vehicles.

The two bombers at Shangri-La Hotel had reserved the rooms for their stay via the owner of the copper factory in Wellampitiya, Insaf Ahmed, the CID further told the court yesterday.

Insaf Ahmed was identified as the suicide bomber at Cinnamon Grand Hotel.
The Colombo Magistrate further called for a report from the National Gem & Jewellery Authority on the gold jewellery that was found on the bombers and their relatives.

Thirty-six persons have died in the explosion at Shangri-La Hotel while 34 others sustained injuries, the CID has told the court yesterday.