Sri Lanka declares emergency from midnight

April 22, 2019 15:45

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (pictured) has declared nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following the Easter blasts. Government officials have also fixed responsibility for the blasts on a local group called the National Thowfeek Jamaat.

It said the measure would be confined to dealing with terrorism and would not impinge on freedom of expression. The government information department said curfew would run from 8 pm on Monday until 4 am on Tuesday.

An indefinite curfew was ordered on Sunday after the attacks was lifted early Monday but a two-day holiday was decreed in a bid to reduce public traffic. Police have arrested 24 men in connection with bomb blasts, officials said on Monday

At least six Indians are among 290 killed in a string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, which struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, officials said on Monday.

The Indian Coast Guard said it was on high alert along the maritime boundary with Sri Lanka. Ships and maritime surveillance aircraft Dornier have been deployed on the maritime border to prevent any attempts by suicide bombing perpetrators to escape from Sri Lanka.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Post-mortem confirms Salman home shooting accused died by hanging: Police

He had allegedly hanged himself with a bed sheet in the toilet of the lock-up, as per the police.

India No. 1 in ODIs; T20Is; Australia top Test rankings

India may have lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia but have increased their lead over them from three to six points, leading the table with 122 points.

Proof Why Ananya-Malaika Are So Stylish

Film folk raised Mumbai's summer temperatures even higher when they walked the red carpet at the second edition of the Bollywood Hungama's Style Icons Summit and Awards 2024 on May 2.

It's a bit daunting: Jacks on being RCB's next ABD

Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Will Jacks opened up on filling the shoes of legendary South African batter AB de Villiers as franchise's premier overseas batter, saying that the task is "daunting".

RR Vs SRH: Who Took The Best Catch? Vote!

It was a game which would be more remembered for the dropped catches more than the ones that were held.