President Maithripala Sirisena said one of the main causes for the rift between the government and himself was his opposition to the "weakening of the security forces."

Speaking to media heads at the President's House this morning, President Sirisena said the human rights activists who campaigned for the weakening of security forces are nowhere to be seen now. 

Sirisena also added that his crackdown on drugs might have played a role in the Easter Sunday explosions. "We all know that drug traffickers and terrorists are closely connected." 

Commenting on the conduct of former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara, the President said both of them had not fulfilled their responsibilities. 

"I met the Defence Ministry Secretary and the IGP in mid-April. But they did not make me aware of the threat."

The President expressed confidence that IGP Jayasundara would step down from his post today.

He also added that over 130 people with links to IS were in Sri Lanka. "All of them will be arrested," he added.