Sister of Sri Lankan bomb attack 'mastermind' says she 'deplores' what he has ...

The sister of alleged Sri Lankan terror attack mastermind Zahran Hashim has denounced her brother over the blasts which killed 359 people on Easter Sunday. 

Mohammed Hashim Madaniya, who grew up with Zahran in the small coastal town of Kattankudy, said they were close as children and that he was 'kind to everyone'.

But she revealed that she hasn't been in contact with her brother since 2017 when he went into hiding, accused by police of causing violence between Muslim groups.

Mohammed Hashim Madaniya, the sister of Zahran Hashim who is accused of masterminding the Sri Lankan terror attacks, has denounced him

Mohammed Hashim Madaniya, the sister of Zahran Hashim who is accused of masterminding the Sri Lankan terror attacks, has denounced him

Madaniya described Zahran (pictured centre) as 'deplorable', said she 'cannot accept this' and 'I don't care about him any more'

Madaniya described Zahran (pictured centre) as 'deplorable', said she 'cannot accept this' and 'I don't care about him any more'

Speaking to the BBC, she explained that she was the youngest in a family of five children and that Zahran - believed to be around 40 - was the oldest.

Madaniya said she was horrified when news of Zahran's involvement in the attacks spread through the media.

She said: 'I came to know about his activities only through the media. I never thought, even for a moment, that he would do such a thing.

'I strongly deplore what he has done. Even if he is my brother, I cannot accept this. I don't care about him any more.'

Madaniya said she has been quizzed by police but is not being treated as a suspect. 

She added that she is fearful of what might happen next, as authorities have not yet confirmed whether Zahran is dead.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday that there are still suspects at large and they may have explosives. 

Police, meanwhile, said they were looking for three women and one man suspected of involvement in the Islamic State group-claimed attack, without naming them.

Zahran was last seen among a group of eight jihadis who filmed themselves swearing allegiance to ISIS and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before the attack.

Madaniya revealed that she was close with Zahran as a child and that he was kind, but said she has not been in contact with him since 2017

Madaniya revealed that she was close with Zahran as a child and that he was kind, but said she has not been in contact with him since 2017

He is the only man's face seen among the group, leading to speculation that he was the ringleader.

Zahran is also known for posted fiery speeches online in which he denounces all religions other than Islam and calls for non-Muslims to be 'eradicated'.

Two other attackers have been identified as brothers Inshaf and Ilham

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