<span style="color: #222222;">In Sri Lanka, at least 207 people were killed and more than 400 injured in a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and five-star hotels during Easter services today. Three Indian nationals,&nbsp;Lakshmi,<b>&nbsp;</b>Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh, are among the twenty-seven foreigners killed in the attacks. Two other Indians, Subramaniam and Jairam, are among the injured.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Sri Lankan police has arrested seven suspects for their involvement in the blasts. The police said initial investigations show some of the attacks could have been carried by suicide bombers. Detailed investigations are on.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardena described the blasts as a terrorist attack by religious extremists, but added that no one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Following the explosions, curfew has been imposed in the country. A police spokesman said the curfew will remain effective till further notice. The government has also imposed a ban on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to avoid rumours.&nbsp;</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Six bomb blasts targeted three five-star hotels in Colombo and three churches across the country. The explosions hit St. Anthony's Church in Colombo and other two churches in Negombo and Batticaloa. Another explosion was reported in the suburb of Colombo.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;The attacks happened around 9 AM when the churches were organizing Easter mass while services were organized at the hotels. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe held an emergency meeting to review the situation and requested general public to remain calm and united.&nbsp; This is the biggest such attack in Sri Lanka since the war against LTTE ended in 2009.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports that the attacks were quite coordinated and were targeted at minority Christians as well as foreign nationals. Interestingly, facts have emerged showing there were intelligence inputs for such attacks as week ago but police failed to prevent tit. Government sources confirm involvement of local extremist groups and it has to be seen where there were any involvement of foreign groups. Police also suspect involvement of suicide bombers in the attacks, considered worst form of violence since war against LTTE ended in 2009. Government has urged public to stay calm and maintain harmony within religious communities.&nbsp;</span>
News On AIR | April 21, 2019 8:50 PM
Over 200 people killed in Sri Lanka bomb explosions; 7 suspects arrested