Sri Lanka blasts live updates: The Kerala Chief Minister's office said that an Indian national was killed in the serial blasts that took place in Sri Lanka. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has extended assistance to the deceased's family, according to media reports.

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At least 80 people were injured when multiple explosions hit churches in Sri Lanka on Sunday as worshippers attended Easter services, PTI reported.

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said, according to a PTI report.

Blasts occurred at 8.45 am while Easter mass was in progress

One of the blasts hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo. The Colombo National Hospital said at least 80 people have been admitted with injuries, PTI reported.

The police confirmed the sixth explosion at Batticaloa in Colombo. More than 300 people have been admitted to the Baticaloa hospital following the explosion at a church there.

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted regarding the series of blast that have occurred in Sri Lanka's Colombo.

25 people have been killed in the explosions, according to hospital sources. More than 250 people are injured and have been admitted to the Colombo national hospital. However, police said that the actual number of people who died in the explosions could not be ascertained yet.

The holiday leave which was granted to the police personnel on the occasion of Easter has been cancelled with immediate effect due to the series of blast that occurred in Colombo on Sunday morning. The police spokesperson said that the IGP ordered all police personnel to be on duty following the explosions

At least 40 people are dead and over 260 have been injured in the series of six explosions in Colombo on Sunday morning, sources in the Colombo National Hospital said. Several injured people have been admitted to the hospital.

An emergency meeting has been called by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in view of the series of explosions in Colombo on Sunday morning. Reports also said that 200 troops of Army have been deployed in the affected areas.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka issued helpline numbers in view of six explosions in the country on Sunday morning. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789

The Sri Lankan information department has issued a statement warning against spreading rumors about the incident.

President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the nation in view of the series of explosions that hit Sri Lanka on Sunday morning. Three chruches and three five-star hotels were targeted. Sirisena appealed for calm and said that all security personnel has been deployed to investigate the incident.

The toll in the Sri Lanka blasts has risen to 52, AFP reported quoting police sources.

The Sri Lanka Police spokesperson in a press briefing noted that crowds were gathering at the various blast sites. However, this was impeding rescue operations, said. He also warned against gathering at the sites because areas are still at risk. He requested the public to cooperate with emergency responders.

There were also reports of casualties in a blast at a church north of the capital and the toll was expected to rise. The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility.

A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 42 people were killed in Colombo, where three hotels and a church were hit. Another 10 people were confirmed dead in the town of Batticaloa, in the east of the country, where another church was targeted.

At least 52 people were killed in Sri Lanka on Sunday, police told AFP, when a string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches as worshippers attended Easter services.

All the government schools have been ordered to remain close tomorrow and day after in view of multiple explosions in Sri Lanka.

They also held some churchgoers and two clergymen as "hostages" for nearly two hours until police were summoned to rescue them, Daily Mirror reported on Saturday.

The Aadara Sevana, a prayer centre run by the Methodist Church was attacked by a mob on 14 April, which was celebrated by the Christian community as Palm Sunday. The mob comprised of 20 to 25 youths, local reports said, and had issued death threats and pelted stones.

At latest count, 138 people have been killed in the series of explosions across Sri Lanka on Sunday morning. Sources said that there were 62 casualties in Negombo, while 42 people had died at the National Hospital. In Batticaloa there were 27 casualties reported while Colombo North reported 7 people dead.

Sri Lanka prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tweeted after six explosions rocked the country on Sunday morning, as blasts occurred in three churches and three five-star hotels. He said,"I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today."

He also appealed for solidarity for the families of the victims in Easter Sunday's attack. "I call upon all people of this country to come together and stand in solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones in these cowardly and tragic attacks. Let us stay together and be strong so that these extremists will not be able to take this country backwards."

The Leader of Opposition in the Sri Lankan parliament, Sampanthan said that he was "deeply saddened" by the "cowardly attacks. He said, "I urge His Excellency the President and The Prime Minister to take necessary steps to identify the preparators of these crimes and to bring them before the law.."

Leader of Opposition Sampanthan calls for perpetrators to be 'brought before law'

"Please stay calm. Please act responsibly. Please NO politics. We must all act together as #SriLanka citizens. My condolences to all families who lost loved ones," he said.

The emergency meeting between Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and ministers along with senior military personnel is underway. Harsha de Silva, economic reforms minister said that all measures were being taken to maintain peace and also that security has been tightened.

Easter breakfast celebrations were underway in the three hotels the explosions occurred, reporters said. Toll rises to 141, sources said. A curfew is likely to be imposed.

Easter breakfast celebrations were going on at the three hotels when blasts occurred

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the blast and said that there was "no place for such barbarism in our region". He added, "India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured."

The mortal remains of the dead are yet to be moved, and the authorities are in the process of doing this. An exact number of casualties from Konchchikade will emerge after this.

Almost all the injured from St Anthony's Church at Kochchikade have been moved to Colombo National Hospital. This church saw the highest number of casualties in the six early morning blasts which took place in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

President Ram Nath Kovind also condemned the explosions in Sri Lanka. "India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka"

In a bid to curb fake news and rumor-mongering, the Sri Lankan government is contemplating blocking WhatsApp and Viber. Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena is likely to pass an order regarding the same.

The Srilanka defence ministry is likely to hold a press conference at 2.30 pm local time in view of six explosions that rocked the country in various locations.

AFP reported that American, Dutch, and British citizens were among those who had died in Sunday's attack.

Director General of the National Hospital Anil Jasinghe was quoted by reports as saying that of the 243 injured admitted, 42 had died. He also said that 13 foreigners were admitted out of which 9 had died.

A seventh blast has been reported in a suburb of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. Two people have died in this incident, taking the toll to 143.

"A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama'ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo," the alert said.

The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no claims of responsibility so far, but documents seen by AFP show that Sri Lanka's police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit "prominent churches".

Nearly 160 people have been confirmed dead so far in the string of attacks targeting hotels and churches.

A new blast hit the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Sunday, police said, the eighth explosion in the country in a single day. Police said the blast hit the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital, but there were no further details on what was targeted.

An eight blast has been reported from Colombo's Orugodawatta, however, no casualties have been reported so far.

An island-wide curfew announced by the Sri Lanka government will take effect from 6 pm on Sunday and will be in force till 6 am on Monday. A ban on Whatsapp and other social media has been imposed as two new blasts occurred in Colombo.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called on Sri Lanka’s government to launch a “very impartial strong inquiry” and to punish those found responsible “mercilessly because only animals can behave like that.”

The Archbishop of Colombo is calling for those responsible for the Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka to be punished “mercilessly.”

The eighth blast that occurred in the afternoon in Sri Lankan capital Colombo's suburb has killed three, AFP reported. The report quoted police as saying that the eighth was a suicide bomb.

"I have just spoken to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka H.E. Mr Tilak Marapana. He confirmed that unfortunately, 207 persons have lost their lives and more than 450 are injured in the terror blasts," said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Rao, in an official press release here, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved and hoped for speedy recovery of the injured. — PTI

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed shock over the loss of innocent lives in the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka, and said it was an heinous attack.

DMK president MK Stalin, in a statement, said the trend of targeting places of worship in several countries - like in New Zealand where an attack took place recently - was a big challenge to humanism that should be thwarted by humanitarian forces. — PTI

"We pray for the brothers and sisters who were killed and for the early recovery of all those injured," they said.

Conveying their condolences, party top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami, said they prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the bereaved to bear with the grief.

"We strongly condemn the blasts," the party said in a statement, adding that they took place in areas that had a large population of Tamil Christians.

The ruling AIADMK said the blasts have brought indescribable grief and made one shudder at the merciless act carried out when innocent people had gathered to offer prayers.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu condemned the near-simultaneous blasts in Sri Lanka which left over 160 people dead and said Tamil people were also hit in the dastardly explosions.

Indian High Commission in Colombo @IndiainSL will provide you all help and assistance. Our helpline numbers are : +94777903082, +94112422788, +94112422789.

I conveyed to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance. In case required, we are ready to despatch our medical teams as well.

Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3

"I have just spoken to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka H.E. Mr Tilak Marapana. He confirmed that unfortunately, 207 persons have lost their lives and more than 450 are injured in the terror blasts," said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The attacks on tourists and Easter worshippers in Sri Lanka are an attack on humanity. On a day devoted to love, redemption, and renewal, we pray for the victims and stand with the people of Sri Lanka.

The All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama, a body of Muslim clerics, said the targeting of Christian places of worship could not be accepted.

According to The Associated Press , The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said that it "mourns the loss of innocent people in the blasts by extremists who seek to divide religious and ethnic groups."

I condemn the heinous terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, a sacred day for Christians. The UN stands in solidarity with Sri Lanka as the global community fights hatred and violent extremism together. Holy sites must be respected.

"Authorities will make periodic visits to all houses of worship, giving special attention to those with Easter services," The Associated Press quoted NYPD spokesperson Sgt Brendan Ryan as saying.

Sri Lanka blasts LATEST updates: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that three Indian nationals had died in the blasts in Sri Lanka. She also said that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance to Colombo.

The Kerala Chief Minister's office said that an Indian national was killed in the serial blasts that took place in Sri Lanka. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has extended assistance to the deceased's family, according to media reports.

A 58-year-old woman from Kerala’s northern district of Kasargod was killed in the bomb blast in Colombo. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the woman identified as PS Raseena was one of the victims at Shangri la hotel.

He said in a Facebook post that the government had taken steps to bring her body to her native place at Mogral Puthur. He said that senior officials of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs department are in touch with her relatives and the Indian High Commissioner at Colombo in this regard.

As the toll rose to 207, the Sri Lankan government said that the explosions on Sunday morning appeared to be a result of suicide bombings carried out by one group.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned a wave of bombings against Sri Lankan churches and tourist spots.

Merkel urged that the "religious hate and intolerance" that have showed themselves in such a terrible way today must not win"."It is shocking that people who gathered to celebrate Easter together were consciously targeted in this malicious attack," Merkel said in a condolence telegram published by a spokeswoman on Twitter.

Macron said that "Full solidarity with the Sri Lanka people and our thoughts for all those close to the victims this Easter."

The eighth blast that occurred in the afternoon in Sri Lanka's Colombo has killed three, AFP reported. The report quoted police as saying that the eighth was a suicide bomb.

An eight blast has been reported from Colombo's Orugodawatta, however, no casualties have been reported so far.

A new blast hit the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Sunday, police said, the eighth explosion in the country in a single day. Police said the blast hit the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital, but there were no further details on what was targeted.

Nearly 160 people have been confirmed dead so far in the string of attacks targeting hotels and churches.

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena said that an Islandwide curfew might be imposed until safety is assured. The minister also said that all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure safety of public.

The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no claims of responsibility so far, but documents seen by AFP show that Sri Lanka's police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit "prominent churches".

"A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama'ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo," the alert said.

A seventh blast has been reported in a suburb of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. Two people have died in this incident, taking the toll to 156.

In a bid to curb fake news and rumor-mongering, the Sri Lankan government is contemplating blocking WhatsApp and Viber. Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena is likely to pass an order regarding the same.

The toll in the explosions that occurred across Sri Lanka on Sunday morning has risen to 141, reports said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the blast and said that there was "no place for such barbarism in our region". He added, "India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured."

Easter breakfast celebrations were underway in the three hotels the explosions occurred, reporters said. Toll rises to 141, sources said. A curfew is likely to be imposed.

Sri Lanka prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tweeted after six explosions rocked the country on Sunday morning, as blasts occurred in three churches and three five-star hotels. He said,"I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today."

At latest count, 138 people have been killed in the series of explosions across Sri Lanka on Sunday morning. Sources said that there were 62 casualties in Negombo, while 42 people had died at the National Hospital. In Batticaloa there were 27 casualties reported while Colombo North reported 7 people dead.

At least 52 people were killed in Sri Lanka on Sunday, police told AFP, when a string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches as worshippers attended Easter services.

A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 42 people were killed in Colombo, where three hotels and a church were hit. Another 10 people were confirmed dead in the town of Batticaloa, in the east of the country, where another church was targeted.

There were also reports of casualties in a blast at a church north of the capital and the toll was expected to rise. The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility.

President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the nation in view of the series of explosions that hit Sri Lanka on Sunday morning. Three chruches and three five-star hotels were targeted. Sirisena appealed for calm and said that all security personnel has been deployed to investigate the incident.

The Sri Lankan information department has issued a statement warning against spreading rumors about the incident.

An emergency meeting has been called by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in view of the blast and 200 troops of Army have been deployed in the affected area.

At least 40 people are dead and over 260 have been injured in the series of six explosions in Colombo on Sunday morning, sources in the Colombo National Hospital said. Several injured people have been admitted to the hospital.

Sri Lanka was rocked by multiple explosions on Sunday morning targeting three churches, two in Kochchikade and Katana in Colombo and the third in Batticaloa, in the Eastern Province of the country during Easter mass. Meanwhile, explosions were also reported at two five-star hotels in Colombo.

The churches hit were in the north of the capital, and the town of Negombo, just outside Colombo, News18 reported.

One of the explosions was a St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo. Another church in Katuwapitiya, Katana was also hit. According to local reports, another explosion was reported at a church in Batticaloa.

Explosions were reported at the luxury Shangri-La Hotel and Cinnamon Grand in Colombo today, according to local reports.

Bomb blast is being reported from Sri Lanka. Churches & Five star hotels in Colombo... https://t.co/9KjrLm6dLf — Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) April 21, 2019

It was not immediately clear if the blasts had caused casualties. At least 80 people have been injured in two blasts at churches in Sri Lanka as worshippers attended Easter Sunday services, AFP reported.

"Eighty people have already been admitted, and more are still coming in," an official at the Colombo National Hospital told AFP on condition of anonymity.

With inputs from AFP