One Of Easter Sunday Attackers Studied In UK, Sri Lankan Official Says

St. Anthony's church in Colombo was targeted (Picture: PA).

Sri Lanka's deputy defence minister says one of the Easter Sunday attackers studied in the UK.

Ruwan Wijewardene has been updating reporters on the investigation into the bombings and also said the suspects had two safe-houses, which made it easier to plan the attacks.

More than 350 people died in the attacks on churches and hotels, including at least eight British nationals. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan President is replacing the chiefs of the police and security forces after the devastating suicide attacks.

His decision to overhaul the security system came after criticism the country’s intelligence agencies failed to act on an alert.

The so-called Islamic State group has said its members are responsible for the bombings.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that 18 suspects were arrested overnight, raising the total held to 58.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned on Tuesday several suspects armed with explosives were still at large.

Another top government official said the suicide bombings at the churches, hotels and other sites were carried out by Islamic fundamentalists in apparent retaliation for the New Zealand mosque massacre last month.

Mr Wickremesinghe said that investigators were still determining the extent of the bombers' foreign links.

He also says the terror attacks on Sunday could have been prevented if key intelligence was passed on correctly.

There had been warnings that churches could be targeted, 10 days beforehand.