The leader of Islamic State has reportedly praised the bombings carried out by Islamist extremists in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and warned of further revenge attacks for the fall of the group's 'caliphate', in a new video message.
The video depicts Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in his first appearance in five years.
It is unclear when exactly the video was taken taken however, at the end of an audio recording after the video image ends, Baghdadi is reportedly heard saying, "Your brothers in Sri Lanka have healed the hearts of monotheists [Islamic State members] with their suicide bombings, which shook the beds of the crusaders during Easter to avenge your brothers in Baghouz."
Over 250 people were killed when suicide bombers detonated devices at luxury hotels and churches on Easter Sunday.
Reports since the incident have revealed links with Islamic State with the government stating some of the men had travelled to Syria previously.
Whilst the government has banned the two main organisations thought to be responsible for the attacks, there has been increasing criticism over the government's failure to take action to prevent the attacks after it emerged India had warned Sri Lankan authorities repeatedly in the preceding weeks that such an incident was planned.
Questions have also been raised over the organisations' links with government security forces and intelligence.
One Sri Lankan soldier is currently on the run after authorities said they believed he had taught the attackers how to use explosives.
