Seven people have been arrested over the coordinated bombings in and around Sri Lanka‘s capital of Colombo on Easter Sunday.
Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera confirmed the death toll had risen to 207 people with more than 400 injured.
The first six bombings occurred almost simultaneously at around 8:45am local time. In Colombo, three luxury hotels – The Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury – and St. Anthony‘s Shrine were hit. Zion Church was targeted in the eastern city of Batticaloa and another blast was reported in St. Sebastian‘s Church in Negombo, north of Colombo.
In the afternoon, a seventh explosion hit a small hotel in Dehiwela, south of Colombo. The eighth explosion is reported to have been at a housing scheme in the Colombo suburb of Dematagoda.
AFP news agency reports three police officers were killed in Dematagoda while raiding a property in pursuit of the attackers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The Sri Lankan Government has declared an island-wide curfew from 6:00pm to 6:00am local time and has shut down access to social media – Facebook, Instagram – and messaging services.
Sri Lankan defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene said most of the blasts were suicide bomb attacks.
07 suspects arrested in connection with today’s coordinated bombings in Colombo, Negombo & Batticaloa. Govt has now confirmed most of the blasts were suicide bomb attacks most probably carried out by 01 group: State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardena via @tingilye
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) April 21, 2019
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe strongly condemned the “cowardly attacks”.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
Mahinda Rajapaksa, leader of the opposition and the country’s former president, called the bombings “barbaric”.
#Srilanka: Leader of Opposition and Former @PresRajapaksa on Sunday’s blasts@the_hindu pic.twitter.com/NS6GK7DDc5
— Meera Srinivasan (@Meerasrini) April 21, 2019
This evening, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation’s “thoughts and prayers are with the beautiful people of Sri Lanka at this terrible time.”
I condemn the devastating & horrific Easter terrorist attacks on innocents in churches & hotels in Sri Lanka. I’ve been taking briefings this afternoon on the situation from DFAT. Call 1300 555 135 if you’re seeking information on friends or relatives travelling in Sri Lanka.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) April 21, 2019
