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A devastating tragedy struck Sri Lanka on April 21 when a series of eight blasts went off all over the island nation, including Colombo, claiming nearly 300 lives. Three of bombings took place at churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo's Kochchikade district during Easter services. Another series of blasts were aimed at luxury hotels like Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand in the capital.Two further explosions at the zoo near Dehiwala and near the Colombo district of Dematagoda were also reported.
Almost 24 hours later, several individuals have been arrested based on suspicions.
Here's what we know so far about the dastardly attack on the island nation
- Atleast 290 people were killed and almost 500 injured due to the eight blasts that took place all across the country on Easter Sunday.
- While most of the peiple who lost their lives are said to be Sri Lankan nations. It is believed about 37 among the dead are foreign nationals, including five Indians.
- These attacks are the deadliest in Sri Lanka since the end of the country's civil war a decade earlier.
- The police have made arrests but no organisation have yet come forward to claim responsibility.
- The Sri Lankan government on Monday blamed National Thowheeth Jama&rsquoath, a little-known terror organisation, for the attacks.
- It is believed that majority of the bombings were executed by suicide bombers.
- World leaders like Narendra Modi, Imran Khan, Vladimir Putin, Theresa May have condemned the attacks.
- The Sri Lankan government has not shut down social media and messaging apps, but the service is reportedly quite slow.
- The island nation will observe a National Day of Mourning on April 23.
- A curfew will be set in motion tomorrow between 8 PM tonight till 4 AM tomorrow.
- The Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe said that the government had prior information on the attacks, adding that the response from the forces was inadequate.
- The nationwide Emergency across Sri Lanka does not have an end date for now. Though the measures are not meant to control the freedom of expression, updates on how it might impact the general public are yet to make their way to the media.
If you are in Sri Lanka right now
- Make sure you reach the airport early. Sri Lankan Airlines has told its passengers to be at the airport at least four hours early. Passengers will be able to take their flights out by showing their ticket and passport.
- The US state department has warned travellers to be cautious. Other countries like the UAE too have issues advisories.
- India is said to be monitoring the situation and the Indian High Commission tweeted numbers for assistance.