The bombings in Sri Lanka killed 310 people, 40 detainees and national unity

Sri Lankan police said the death toll from church and hotel bombings in the country rose to 310 last Sunday and 40 suspects were arrested and the country began a national mourning day in honor of the victims of the attacks.

Police spokesman Rawan Gonasekera said in a statement that at this stage the authorities questioned 40 people in connection with the bombings. Reuters quoted sources as saying police were holding a Syrian national for questioning in connection with the attacks.

The country began a national mourning on Tuesday with a three-minute silence in honor of the victims of attacks on churches celebrating the Easter Mass and luxury hotels on the island of South Asia.

The flags were poured on government buildings, and radio and television broadcasts were broadcast. Liquor stores were closed.

In the church of St. Anthony in Colombo, which saw the first suicide attack on Sunday morning, dozens of people gathered silently in the hall, carrying candles.

The nature of the culprits remains unclear, while the authorities have blamed the international network for their implementation.

Officials also earlier blamed a local Islamist group, the National Tawhid, but al-Jazeera correspondent Samer Allawi said the authorities had officially denied the group.

A government spokesman said the bombings were carried out with the help of an international network, and the authorities have asked for foreign assistance to track international links to the bombings.

The ninth blast occurred near a church in the capital while trying to dismantle a bomb in a bus on Monday morning.

In the same context, the authorities said police had prior knowledge of possible "suicide" attacks targeting churches, but failed to act when reports were issued before the attacks.

Government spokesman Rajitha Sinaratny told a press conference that a senior police official had circulated a report on possible attacks, but Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or ministers were not informed of the report.

"If we had prior knowledge that we had taken precautionary measures, the inspector-general must resign immediately."