All Muslim Ministers including Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers in the Government on June 3 decided to resign from their Ministerial portfolios citing the Government's failure to ensure the safety of Muslims following Easter Sunday attacks, reports Colombo Page. Minister of Highways & Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development Kabir Hashim announced the decision after a news conference at Temple Trees. Accordingly, Cabinet Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen, Rauff Hakeem, Kabir Hashim, AHM Haleem and five Deputy Ministers including Deputy Ministers Ali Shahir Moulana and AHM Fowzie have decided to resign from their posts. Minister Kabir Hashim stated that the Ministers decided to resign from their posts so as not to impede the ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. He also urged the authorities to investigate the allegations against his team. After resigning from the portfolios, the Ministers have decided to stay in the Government as backbenchers in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara speaking at the security media briefing on June 3 said 2289 persons were arrested after the Easter Sunday suicide attacks on April 21, reports Colombo Page. The Spokesman said 2289 suspects were arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks during subsequent searches conducted across the island and regarding communal violence in Northwestern Province. Among the total arrested 423 persons have been remanded and another 211 are being detained at police stations and questioned while 1,655 persons have been released on bail.