40 arrested, death toll 310 in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Government imposed emergency in the country last night following bomb attacks on churches and hotels. The decision to impose an emergency was taken at a meeting of the National Security Council to ensure public security. The meeting also decided to declare a national day of mourning today. 

White flags, ribbons across the city of #Colombo as Sri Lanka mourns the loss of over 300 people who died in the worst terror attacks the country has seen

Meanwhile, 8 Indians are among 31 foreigners killed in the terror attacks. The serial blasts have claimed about 300 lives and injured more than 500 people across the island nation. International police organization (INTERPOL) is deploying a team to Sri Lanka to assist investigations as the focus shifts on probing the foreign connections into the attacks. 

Sri Lankan police have arrested 40 people, including a driver of a van used in one of the suicide bombings that rocked three churches and three hotels in the island nation on Easter Sunday. All of the individuals arrested are Sri Lankan.

The death toll from the spate of attacks has climbed to 310, police reported. Hundreds of others have been injured. In the wake of the assaults, the government has declared a state of emergency and launched a hunt for the attackers, believed to be members of a radical Muslim group called National Thowfeek Jamaath.

Sri Lanka, the situation remained tense in the wake of Sunday’s attacks which killed 310 people including 10 Indian nationals so far. Police have arrested 40 people  mostly belonging to National Towheed Jamaath, believed to have carried out the attacks. Security has been tightened. 

Government schools will remain closed for the week while universities are closed till further notice. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will make special statements at the special parliament session convened in the afternoon. Meanwhile, investigations into the attacks are progressing and one Syrian national was taken into custody today for interrogation. 

Sri Lanka has sought help from international agencies for investigation. INTERPOL is deploying a team to identify potential investigative leads and international connections. FBI of United States and Japanese police are among others providing assistance