Leading News from Sri Lanka::

* Update: Scores killed and injured in bomb explosions at churches and five-star hotels in Sri Lanka capital Colombo

Sun, Apr 21, 2019, 10:38 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 21, Colombo: Simultaneous bomb explosions at several churches and five-star hotels in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Easter Sunday have reportedly killed scores and injured many more, reports from Colombo say.

Bomb blasts occurred in five places including St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St. Anthony's Church in Negombo and at St. Sebestian's Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana, the Police Media Unit said.

Bomb explosions have also been reported from Kingsbury, Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand Hotels in Colombo.

The bombs have gone off at the same time in all the churches at around 8:45 am local time, according to reports.

About 20 to 25 people have been killed in the blasts, local Sinhala newspaper Lankadeepa reported.

Minister Harsha de Silva said there were many casualties including foreigners.

The injured are being rushed to the Colombo National Hospital. More than 80 people have been hospitalized, the reports say. Another explosion have been reported from the Zion Church in Batticaloa.

Sri Lanka Police meanwhile, requested the public to refrain from visiting blasts sites and remain calm and assist the Police in maintaining Law and Order.

The police reminded the public that spreading rumors and inaccurate news is legally punishable crime asked the people to refrain from stirring communal violence.