World

24 local suspects arrested over Sri Lankan bombings

April 22, 2019 3:05 pm

A view of St Sebastian's Church damaged in the blast in Negombo, north of Colombo [Source: Chamila Karunarathne/AP]

24 local suspects have been arrested in connection to the horrific attacks that took place in Sir Lanka killing close to 300 people.

Police says that the individuals arrested, all locals, were being questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department.

Article continues after advertisement

It’s time as such that brings a nation together with both the Muslim, Anglican and Catholic churches condemning the horrors that have taken place at their Island home.

Curfew

Sri Lanka’s government imposed a nationwide curfew on Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last “until further notice”, in the wake of coordinated attacks.

Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away.

However, Authorities have now lifted the curfew that was in place overnight following the bombings.

The streets in the capital, Colombo, were largely deserted on Monday morning, with most shops closed and a heavy deployment of soldiers and police.

Love and support
Surrounding nations have also shown their support, condolences and offered to assist however needed.

Aljazeera reports family members of victims were given a chance to identify the bodies of their loved ones, as body bags were lined up outside the St Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo late on Sunday evening.

Al Jazeera’s Minelle Fernandez, reporting from the church says there were absolutely heart-wrenching scenes.

“Hundreds of people were screaming at the top of their voices as families who were looking for missing loved ones were allowed to look at the fatalities from this church. Many of the people still do not know where their loved ones are.”

‘Temporary’ social media ban
Sri Lanka’s government said on Sunday it would impose a “temporary” social media ban in the wake of the blasts.

Social media networks and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked.

The government has decided to block all social media platforms in order to prevent incorrect and wrong information being spread.

This is only a temporary measure” Udaya R Seneviratne, secretary to the president said in a statement.