Sri Lanka blasts toll rises to 290; police arrest 24

The death toll in a series of eight blasts that struck three churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday has risen to 290, according to police.

Sri Lankan police have also arrested 13 men in connection with the bomb blasts―one of the deadliest in the island nation's history. The government said it will not disclose the details of the suspects involved in the attacks to prevent them from getting publicity. Reports said the 13 men detained are from the same radical group.

The blasts targeted three churches―St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa.

Explosions were also reported from three five-star hotels―the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.

Sri Lankan government on Sunday imposed curfew with immediate effect after the blasts which was lifted at 6 am on Monday morning.

Sri Lanka Air Force said it found an improvised explosives device along a road leading to the departure terminal at the Colombo international airport Sunday night.

An air force spokesperson said that it was a crude six- foot pipe bomb that was found by the roadside.

“We have removed it and safely defused it at an air force location,” he added.