Colombo - Police have arrested at least 24 people in connection
to a series of explosions in Sri Lanka which left at least 290 people
dead as investigators confirmed six of the attacks were carried out
by suicide bombers, officials said on Monday.
Government Analyst N Welianga told reporters three attacks on
churches and three others on the hotels in the capital were carried
out by suicide bombers.
The Government Analyst's Department under the Defence Ministry was
further probing whether two bombers were involved in one of the hotel
attacks, which would mean seven suicide bombers were involved.
Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the individuals arrested,
all locals, were being questioned by the Criminal Investigation
Department.
The death toll increased overnight as more victims died in hospital
and several other bodies were discovered.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed throughout the Indian Ocean island
nation was lifted on Monday morning. Schools and universities are
expected to remain shut while the stock exchange has suspended
trading until further notice.
Authorities have so far located a van believed to have transported
the bombers and the house where they stayed in the outskirts of the
capital Colombo.
Late on Sunday night, a home-made bomb was found inside a plastic
pipe close to the airport and defused, a spokesman for the Air Force
said.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the multiple
explosions. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would seek
support from abroad to find out whether the attackers were linked to
international terrorism.
The explosions took place during busy Easter services at Christian
churches in the cities of Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo and in
three five star hotels in the capital.
At least 35 foreigners are among those killed, while 19 more remain
in hospital.