Bomber who met with the priests before the attack

The Presidential Commission to Investigate the Passover Attack yesterday revealed that the bombing of the Zion Church in Batticaloa on Easter Sunday was under the watchful eye of pastors in charge of the Zion Church.

That was when the ministers in charge of the Zion Church gave evidence before the Presidential Commission.

Ganeshamurthy Thirukumar, minister of Batticaloa Zion Church, testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Prison yesterday.

Giving evidence before the commission, he said that on the morning of April 21 last year, he had observed a man he had never seen before.

Later, when inquired, the witness stated that he had identified himself as 'Umar' and had come to visit the shrine.

The minister said in his testimony, however, that he had turned down the invitation to go to the church and that his mother was sick and wanted to make a godsend.

The minister further stated that he had told the person that the healing services would be performed on Wednesday.

At this point the Commission asked the minister in what language the conversation took place.

The minister told the Presidential Commission that the conversation had taken place in Tamil and he had called his mother a number of times.

It was revealed that the victim was from Oddamavadi area and that he was wearing a pink T-shirt and a large bag of shoes and had his hat tucked in his chest.

The witness stated that he had then left the temple to meet with a man named Stanley, who was working in the church, and asked for information.

However, when he was about five kilometers away from the temple, he informed the Commission that he had received a telephone call that there was a skull in the temple.