Following the tragic serial bomb blasts in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the Sri Lankan government on Sunday imposed a ban on social media with immediate effect ‘until further notice’.
The death toll rose to 290 as over 500 people have been injured following several bomb blasts in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo amid Easter celebrations, state media reported on Sunday.
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.
ALSO READ: Sri Lanka: 42 dead, several injured in serial explosions in Colombo on Easter Sunday
HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES-
#SriLankaBlasts | High Commission of India in Sri Lanka confirms death of two more Indian nationals, K G Hanumantharayappa & M Rangappa in the bomb blasts in Sri Lanka yesterday. Deaths of 5 Indian nationals have been confirmed so far@IndiainSLhttps://t.co/r9gQlILVIl pic.twitter.com/Q4cv798RTl
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 22, 2019
- Improvised bomb defused near Colombo airport by Sri Lankan air force: Police
- Police have arrested 24 suspects till now in connection with attacks on churches and hotels: Local Media
- Death toll rises to 290 and over 450 injured; five Indian among dead.
Death toll from attacks on Sri Lankan churches and hotels rises to 290, about 500 wounded: Police Spokesman
Min of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka: 9 foreigners reported missing. 25 unidentified bodies believed to be of foreigners,are at Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary. Emergency hotline to assist families of affected foreign nationals will be operational 24 hrs at +94 112323015 https://t.co/MO0aRNrlmf
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj: Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals.
#BREAKING | EAM @SushmaSwaraj :Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. #SriLanka #SriLankaBlast pic.twitter.com/IuL95RazlE
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
Death toll from Sri Lanka’s eight explosions rises to 207; 450 injured, seven people arrested: Reuters quoting Sri Lanka Police.
JUST IN | Reuters quoting police: Death toll from Sri Lanka’s eight explosions rises to 207; 450 injured, seven people arrested #SriLanka #SriLankaBlasts
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
“UPDATE: 7 individuals have been arrested in connection to the explosions across the country.”, News First reports.
UPDATE: 7 individuals have been arrested in connection to the explosions across the country.#lka #SriLanka
— News 1st (@NewsfirstSL) 21 April 2019
JUST IN | Police say eighth #SriLanka blast was suicide bomb, killed three. #SriLankaBlasts
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
JUST IN | AFP News Agency quoting police: Curfew imposed immediately ‘until further notice’. #SriLankaBlasts #SriLanka #Colombo https://t.co/8fIU0gMGCo
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
Terming them as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts, Prime Minister @narendramodi pointed out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world. https://t.co/3Ifijrm9ob
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka imposes ‘temporary’ ban on social media after blasts, reports AFP.
JUST IN | AFP News Agency: #SriLanka imposes ‘temporary’ social media ban after blasts. #SriLankaBlasts https://t.co/pSok1QXhJe
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka Defence Minister orders night curfew after blasts: AFP
#BREAKING | AFP news agency: Sri Lanka Defence Minister orders night curfew after blasts. #SriLankaBlasts #SriLanka #Colombo pic.twitter.com/kV9f1erKhw
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
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AFP News Agency quoting police: Eighth blast hits Sri Lankan capital.
#BREAKING | #UPDATE AFP News Agency quoting police: Eighth blast hits Sri Lankan capital. #SriLanka #Colombo pic.twitter.com/wizXQlJmhL
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka.https://t.co/Si1ilrSU8j pic.twitter.com/pdSjh8OyVO
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) 21 April 2019
#BREAKING | AFP News Agency quoting police spokesman: New blast in Sri Lankan capital, two dead.#SriLanka #Colombo pic.twitter.com/gZgIniYYqD
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) April 21, 2019
CREDITS: HIRU TV
AFP news agency quoting Sri Lankan Police: Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 156, including 35 foreigners.
JUST IN | #UPDATE AFP news agency quoting Sri Lankan Police: Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 156, including 35 foreigners. https://t.co/2lr0mP2gd9
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) 21 April 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted in strong condemnation of the ‘senseless violence’.
India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 21 April 2019
PM Modi strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka in his tweets.
Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 21 April 2019
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted extending his prayers and support to the people of Sri Lanka.
Deeply saddened by the bomb blasts in #Colombo #SriLanka and killing of innocent people there. Such ghastly acts of violence are highly condemnable. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families. Pray for speedy recovery of injured.
— Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) 21 April 2019
“There is an update from Colombo. There were three bomb blasts in Churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. There have been three blasts in Shangrila, Cinnamon Grand Kingsbury hotels in Colombo. “, tweeted EAM Sushma Swaraj.
Indians in distress may please contact Indian High Commission in Colombo. We will provide you all assistance. @IndiainSL Our helpline numbers are :
+94777903082,+94112422788,+94112422789, +94112422789.
Pls RT— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 21 April 2019
“I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.”, EAM Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
Colombo – I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 21 April 2019
The Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka released helpline numbers for the Indian citizens in need of assistance in the explosions.
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
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
In addition to the numbers given below, Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may also call the following numbers +94777902082 +94772234176
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
Police are investigating the matter. Further details are awaited.