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Sri Lanka attacks: national day of mourning begins as death toll rises to 310 – live news Sri Lanka attacks: national day of mourning begins as death toll rises to 310 – live news
(32 minutes later)
More pictures are being posted of the mass burials taking place in Negombo today, the site of the St Sebastian church blast.
Mass funeral commences at Katuapitiya St. Sebastian church, the scene of the heinous terrorist attack #SriLanka #lka #EasterSundayAttacksLK pic.twitter.com/phn0BgXrnl
The Sri Lankan news outlet News 1st is reporting that the hospital in Negombo where the blast at St Sebastian’s church took place, is running out of freezers to store bodies of Sunday’s victims. It reports that the District General Hospital is now using mobile freezers.
Negombo Hospital running out of freezers to store dead bodieshttps://t.co/wooqERcfu0#lka #SriLanka #EasterSundayAttacksLK #EasterAttackLK
There continues to be a strong security presence in Colombo and Negombo where churches were hit by blasts on Sunday.There continues to be a strong security presence in Colombo and Negombo where churches were hit by blasts on Sunday.
Burials are taking place for the victims of Sunday’s attacks.Burials are taking place for the victims of Sunday’s attacks.
Sri Lankan police have quickly confirmed the suspicious package (mentioned below) is not dangerous. It seems people are being understandably vigilant about anything suspicious as tensions remain high in Colombo following Sunday’s attacks.Sri Lankan police have quickly confirmed the suspicious package (mentioned below) is not dangerous. It seems people are being understandably vigilant about anything suspicious as tensions remain high in Colombo following Sunday’s attacks.
Sri Lankan media outlet RepublicNext is reporting that the bomb disposal squad has been called to Kollupitiya railway station in Colombo after an unattended package was found in a compartment of a Puttalam-Mount Lavinia train.Sri Lankan media outlet RepublicNext is reporting that the bomb disposal squad has been called to Kollupitiya railway station in Colombo after an unattended package was found in a compartment of a Puttalam-Mount Lavinia train.
Scenes from the developing story at the Kollupitiya railway station, where an unattended package has been discovered in one of the ladies' compartments of a Puttalam-Mount Lavinia train. #lka pic.twitter.com/qXoZB96FGoScenes from the developing story at the Kollupitiya railway station, where an unattended package has been discovered in one of the ladies' compartments of a Puttalam-Mount Lavinia train. #lka pic.twitter.com/qXoZB96FGo
Agence France-Presse is reporting that 40 people have now been arrested in relation to Sunday’s attacks, citing a police spokesman.Agence France-Presse is reporting that 40 people have now been arrested in relation to Sunday’s attacks, citing a police spokesman.
One of the suicide bombers who blew himself up in an attack last Sunday had been a suspect who was arrested a few months ago in connection with an incident in Mawanella in which Buddha statues were damaged, highways minister Kabir Hashim said at a press conference on Monday night.One of the suicide bombers who blew himself up in an attack last Sunday had been a suspect who was arrested a few months ago in connection with an incident in Mawanella in which Buddha statues were damaged, highways minister Kabir Hashim said at a press conference on Monday night.
“One of my security officers was attacked in the incident. A few suspects were arrested and some of them were released later. It was found that one of them had been the suicide bomber of an attack that took place last Sunday. I am in the process of receiving more information on this,” he said.“One of my security officers was attacked in the incident. A few suspects were arrested and some of them were released later. It was found that one of them had been the suicide bomber of an attack that took place last Sunday. I am in the process of receiving more information on this,” he said.
The first memorial services for victims of Sunday’s blasts are expected to take place on Tuesday. They will follow the three minutes of silence observed at 8.30am local time during which most flags on most government buildings were lowered to half mast.The first memorial services for victims of Sunday’s blasts are expected to take place on Tuesday. They will follow the three minutes of silence observed at 8.30am local time during which most flags on most government buildings were lowered to half mast.
The death toll from Sunday’s attacks is now 310, a police spokesman has said.The death toll from Sunday’s attacks is now 310, a police spokesman has said.
Sri Lankans have observed three minutes of silence at the start of a national day of mourning for the victims of Sunday’s bomb attacks.
The death toll remains just under 300, with some 500 injured.
Parliament will resume on Tuesday with a statement expected from the prime minister.
A second night of national curfew lifted at 4am local time but a state of emergency came into force at midnight on Monday night.
Local victims and those injured are to receive financial compensation.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks but questions continue to be asked about what the Sri Lankan government knew about the bombings prior to Sunday. On Monday it emerged that authorities were warned of possible incidents two weeks ago.
A blackout on social media in Sri Lanka continues.
Interpol has deployed a response at the request of Sri Lankan authorities.
As Sri Lankans mark three minutes of silence, the prime minister has paid tribute to the military and police in their handling of the crisis. Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was “imperative that we remain unified in as Sri Lankans in the face of this unspeakable tragedy”.
pic.twitter.com/UJSOyUXHPe
Details are emerging of the emergency powers enacted by the president in SriLanka. The regulations authorise detention as well as search powers. It also includes the provision that:
No emergency regulation, and no order, rule or direction made or given thereunder shall be called in question by any court.
The provisions of the PSO that came into effect as of midnight. pic.twitter.com/XiEiXy9Bm8
Cont (2) pic.twitter.com/ej3bLX3QiV
The Indian newspaper The Hindu, carries an editorial on the Sri Lanka attacks today with the headline “Sunday, bloody Sunday”. It describes the bombings as a “monumental tragedy for a country that is trying to live down the strife that lasted more than a quarter century”.
#Srilanka: Sunday, bloody Sunday: @the_hindu editorial on Easter blasts https://t.co/lPr5SW5KBl#lka #SriLankaBlasts
The overnight curfew has been lifted in Sri Lanka, as people prepare for three minutes of silence today to mark the attacks. Security remains tight around many sites, as you can see below.
Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror newspaper carries a tribute to victims of Sunday’s bombings on its front page.
Tuesday 23rd April 2019 The Sri Lankan Daily Mirror front page:In remembrance of all those who lost their lives on 21.04.2019#SriLanka #SriLankaAttacks #frontpagestoday #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/iEd0v5cs3U
Sri Lankans have begun a national day of mourning, as declared by the President Maithripala Sirisena. Three minutes of silence will be observed at 8.30am local time.
According to Sri Lankan media outlet Daily News, local victims of the bomb blasts are to receive compensation. It quoted the health and nutrition and Indigenous medicine minister Rajitha Senaratne, announcing the scheme:
The government has decided to pay Rs.100,000 (US$570) as funeral expenses and Rs. one million (US$5,700) for the families of those who died as compensation. Those who have injured will receive compensation ranging from Rs.100,000 to Rs.300,000 according to the severity of the injury.
The minister added that the churches damaged in the blasts would be renovated with government funds.
In New York the UN security council condemned the Sri Lanka attacks “in the strongest possible terms”.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Sri Lanka and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
China has warned its nationals against travelling to Sri Lanka. Beijing is a major investor in Sri Lanka. If Chinese nationals insist on travelling to Sri Lanka, it would be difficult for the embassy to provide effective assistance in view of the “huge security risks” involved, the Chinese embassy said in a statement on its website.