LIVE: Death toll in explosions reaches 215

Authored by newsfirst.lk and submitted by PC_Master-Race

5.18: Five foreign victims identified. 22 victims are believed to be foreigners based on the colour of their skin – Foreign Secretary.

5.00: 7 individuals have been arrested in connection to the explosions across the country.

4.35: All state Universities have been closed until further notice.

4.30: US President Donald Trump has commented on the SL explosions on Easter Sunday.

4.24: Press release from the Indian PM’s office: Indian PM Narendra Modi has reached out to President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe over the Phone and had conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Indian population. While condemning the terror attack, Modi noted that these attacks were another grim reminder of the more serious challenge posed by terrorism. PM Modi had renewed his offer of all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka

4.18: All night-mail trains have been suspended – Railways Department.

4.11: Four examinations that were scheduled to be held tomorrow by the Dept. of Education have been postponed

4.05: “I wish to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka], wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence.” – Pope Francis

4.03: President of the EU Commission responds to the explosions in Sri Lanka

3.45: Three police officers killed in the Dematagoda explosion.

3.33: Search operations are underway at a house in close proximity to the blast-site in Dematagoda following a tip-off that there are more explosives at the location.

3.27: Curfew declared with immediate effect – Police Media Spokesperson

3.10: Suspicious parcel found in Jampettah street. Bomb disposal unit on the way.

2.47: Curfew declared across the country from 6 pm today to 6 am tomorrow April 22nd and 23rd declared government holidays – Presidential Secretary.

2.47: Explosion in Dematagoda reported from a housing complex in Mahavila Udyana Road

2.44: Explosion reported in Dematagoda – Police #lka #SriLanka

2.42: State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijeywardene says that they hope to declare curfew tonight.He noted that armed forces will crack down on all extremist forces in the country adding that they have no place in the country.

While assuring that security has been tightened around the country, the state minister vowed to bring those responsible before the law.

Tekniqly on April 21st, 2019 at 07:08 UTC »

i was reading and suddenly every phone in the house went off. every 5 minutes another bomb reported. Mom went to supermarket said shelves were clean when she left. so much changed in a few hours. surreal shit.

_Iam_ on April 21st, 2019 at 06:05 UTC »

What has been confirmed by official outlets so far:

6 near-simultaneous explosions occurred this morning (8.45 am local time) in Sri Lanka across 3 churches and 3 hotels.

3 blasts were in Colombo (All hotels.) Explosions also occurred in Churches in Kochchikade (Colombo), Katana (Negombo), and Batticaloa.

Confirmed death toll at 228. Number injured at 470+.

As of now, 53 confirmed dead in Colombo, 27 dead in Batticaloa, 62 dead in Katana. 280 hospitalized in Colombo. Conflicting reports on # injured in Batti. Waiting on official confirmation.

NO organization has claimed responsibility for the explosions yet. Rumours circulating regarding prior intelligence on an imminent attack by Islamist militants have been discredited by the AG's Department. (It is the prior intelligence that has been refuted. No official comment has been passed on who the attackers are)

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe chairing an emergency meeting. Likely to address media soon. Security tightened in places of religious worship across country. Archbishop of Colombo cancels all Easter Masses in the Colombo District.

Some foreign nationals confirmed to be among the dead. Colombo General Hospital reports at least 27 foreigners among dead in Colombo, with 5 missing. Foreign Ministry will not release the nationalities of the casualties right now. 13 foreigners initially reported among the injured.

Unconfirmed reports of more bombs being found and diffused at other locations.

Bandaranaike International Airport requests travelers to arrive at least 4 hours prior to scheduled flight times due to tightened security

National Blood Bank requests donors to stop arriving at the Blood Bank as sufficient stocks are collected already. Will be notified if more blood is required.

Reports of another explosion at a guest house near the Dehiwala Zoo a few minutes ago (2 pm local time).

2 deaths reported from this explosion. Police calling explosion a bomb.

Tense situation reported in Dehiwala as Police have **reportedly arrested a suspect.**

Users reporting blockage of Whatsapp and Facebook. Government has resorted to this in the past to combat spread of misinformation/hate speech during times of crisis. Govt. confirms Whatsapp, Facebook, and Viber will be blocked.

State Defense Minister says Island-wide curfew will be imposed from 6pm to 6am.

Report of another blast a few minutes ago in Dematagoda (Colombo) (2.30 pm local time) bringing total number of explosions up to 8

Explosion occurred at a housing complex. No word on casualties yet.

Reports that the Dematagoda incident was 3 small explosions. 3 Policemen reported dead.

Curfew brought forward to be effective immediately

Suspicious parcel found in Jampettah Street also known as K. B. Christy Mawatha (Colombo) around 3:15 pm local time. Police has deployed Bomb Disposal Unit of the Special Task Forces for inspection.

Air Force called in to help keep Dematagoda situation under control. Reports that Police have been tipped-off about more explosives in the area.

4 suspects arrested in Dematagoda following special operation carried out by armed forces/police. At least 3 more suspects are said to have died in the firefight that ensued.

Leave for all police and military personnel cancelled

Government says a total of 7 suspects have been arrested in connection with today's events. They also confirm that most of the blasts were due to suicide bombs, and believe all explosions to be the work of one group.

Media outlets reporting that initial investigation reveals the first six explosions that occurred this morning were suicide attacks. At Shangri-La, CCTV footage show two men detonating C-4 explosives weighing 25kg, at the cafeteria and hotel corridor

Police releasing statement to media. Place death toll at 207. Contradict earlier reports of 7 suspects. Says only 3 suspects arrested although several people were questioned. Also refuses to confirm reports of 6 suicide bombs. Says only Katana explosion is considered a suicide bombing for now.

"We cannot say who is behind the attacks and what their intentions were until the investigation is complete": Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara

State Minister/Defence urges media not to publicize names of today's attackers. He warned other extremist groups could exploit situation & create tension between communities. "Don't give extremists a voice. Don't help to make them martyrs"

Special Hotline set up for tourists: 0112323015 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A van suspected to have transported explosives to Colombo + driver arrested

Prime Minister says information about these attacks had been received in advance, in apparent contradiction to earlier comments made by government. "We must look into why adequate precautions were not taken. Neither I nor the Ministers were kept informed" Says 8 persons arrested.

Letter circulating social media that was refuted by government officials has been shared by a minister as being factual. Letter warns of "information of an alleged plan attack" possibly carried out by an organisation named "National Thawheeth Jamaath" targeting Catholic churches & Indian HC in Colombo

End

digi23 on April 21st, 2019 at 05:13 UTC »

Six blasts in churches and high-end hotels Churches: Kochikade, St Sebastian and Batticaloa Hotels: Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury

Update:

Reports on Sri Lankan TV speak of 7th explosion a few moments ago in Sri Lanka at a Hotel near Dehiwala zoo AFP News Agency quoting police spokesman, 'two dead.'

Update 2:

AFP News Agency quoting police: Eighth blast hits Sri Lankan capital. Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka from 6pm today to Monday 6am Sri Lanka has shut down social media and messaging services in the country