7 arrested over multiple blasts in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government said on April 21 that seven people had been arrested over the multiple blasts that rocked the island nation earlier in the day and killed at least 207 so far, without providing further details.

Inside St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo. (Photo: AFP)
Inside St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo. (Photo: AFP)

They were arrested during a security forces raid on a house in the Sri Lankan capital several hours after the attacks.

The police said over 450 had been injured while 35 foreigners were among those killed.

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene told reports that security had been beefed up across the country and he urged the public to remain indoors while a nationwide curfew had been imposed until further notice.

Wijewardene said most of the attacks were caused by suicide bombers, but did not reveal further information.

Eight explosions were reported across Sri Lanka on April 21 as hundreds of worshipers gathered at churches to commemorate Easter Sunday, the police said.

Police spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that two explosions were reported from the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in the capital Colombo and another from the St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, north of the capital on April 21 morning.

A third explosion ripped through the Zion Church in the east coastal city of Batticaloa.

Explosions were also reported from three five-star hotels in Colombo, while on April 21 afternoon an explosion rocked a hotel, opposite a zoo in Dehiwala in Colombo and another hit a housing complex in Dematagoda on the northern outskirts of the capital.

Xinhua