The toll in a series of eight blasts in Sri Lanka on Sunday has risen to at least 207, with over 450 people injured, police spokesman told Reuters.
Sri Lankan news agency, News First, reported that explosions were heard near St. Anthony’s Church in Kochikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Shangri La hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, and a church in Batticaloa.
Here are the ten major developments you need to know:-
- Three police officers killed during raid. Seven people have been arrested and three police officers are killed during a raid on a house in Colombo as the death toll rise past 200, police and local media reports.– Reuters
- Death toll from Sri Lanka’s eight explosions rises to 207; 450 injured, seven people arrested – Reuters quoting police
- Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese nationals among the dead. Stef Blok, the Dutch foreign minister, has confirmed that a Dutch national was among the fatalities in the Easter Sunday attacks. Meanwhile, the People’s Daily in China has reported that one Chinese national died in the attack and four are in a stable condition in hospital after sustaining injuries. Portugal’s ministry of foreign affairs said that one victim was a Portuguese citizen. No Indian national casualty reported so far.
- The eighth blast, carried out by a suicide bomber. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, has said that the suicide bomber detonated his explosives when police entered a house in a northern suburb of the capital to carry out a search. The upper floor of the house collapsed in the blast, killing the police officers. – AFP
- Sri Lanka police chief had warned of suicide attack threat. Sri Lanka’s police chief made a nationwide alert 10 days before Sunday’s bomb attacks in the country that suicide bombers planned to hit ‘prominent churches’, according to the warning seen by AFP. Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara sent an intelligence warning to top officers on April 11 setting out the threat.“A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama’ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo,” said the alert – AFP
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds telephonic conversation with Sri Lankan President, says sources. – PTI
- Social media blackout in Sri Lanka to stop fake news. The Sri Lankan government has declared a curfew with immediate effect, junior defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene has said, following the eighth explosion.“A curfew will be imposed until things settle down,” he told the reporters in Colombo.Government officials also has said major social media networks and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked inside the country to prevent misinformation and rumours.– Reuters
- Schools in Sri Lanka to stay closed till Wednesday. The Sri Lankan government’s official news portal says schools will remain closed until Wednesday and all police leave has been cancelled. Sri Lankan media also report that universities are closed and exams postponed. – NewsfirstSL
- Sri Lankan Airlines has said passengers due to fly will be allowed to travel to the airport by security forces, provided they show their tickets and passports at checkpoints.
- Helpline numbers from Indian Mission in Sri Lanka- “Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers: +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.“In addition to the numbers given, Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may also call the following numbers +94777902082 +94772234176,” the High Commission also tweeted.