The death toll as a result of a series of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka rose to 321, and more than 520 were injured. UNICEF noted that at least 45 dead are children.

The latest information about the victims of the attack leads Reuters with reference to the statement of the Minister of Defense Ruvan Viyevardene. The official also said that the Sri Lankan authorities linked the terrorist attack with the events in New Zealand.

“A preliminary investigation showed that what happened in Sri Lanka was a response to an attack on a mosque in New Zealand,” the agency quotes Viyevardene.

According to the minister, behind the attacks are two groups - Jamaat al-Tawhid al-Watania and Jamiat Millat Ibrahim.

Earlier, Al Arabiya TV reported that Jamaat al-Tawhid al-Watania claimed responsibility for a series of explosions in Sri Lanka. However, Reuters later reported that Islamic State militants had claimed responsibility for the bombings.

  • Reuters
  • © Ishara S. KODIKARA

To date, the police in the investigation of the explosions detained 40 people. They are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department. Two people were detained until May 6 for spreading false information that drinking water was poisoned in some parts of the island.

The air force, sappers and military continue to inspect facilities around the island. Inspection passes hospitals, banks and railway stations.

In addition, on April 23, the Sri Lankan police was on high alert. According to News 1st, a truck and a van carrying explosives are being sought in the largest city on the island of Colombo.

“The international network was involved in the explosions”

Recall, on April 21 in Sri Lanka, there were eight explosions. The first six occurred in three Catholic churches and hotels in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. The seventh thundered in the west of the island, in Dehiwala, and the eighth - in a residential complex in Dematagod, a suburb of Colombo. As reported by AFP, the terrorists intended to blow up another hotel in Colombo,

The next day, the police cleared a mined van near a church in Colombo by a controlled explosion.

Initially, the Sri Lankan government reported that forces outside the island were involved in a series of explosions. This was stated by the representative of the Government of Sri Lanka Rajitha Senaratne.

“We do not believe that only a group of people from our country could carry out this attack. The international network was involved in the explosions, ”Reuters agency quoted Senaratne as saying.

Later, the former head of the Sri Lankan police special forces, Nimal Luke, told News 1st on television that the explosives used by terrorists are widely used by extremists from Al-Qaida **.

According to Luke, attacks on Sri Lanka were carried out using a substance called triacetone triacetone, which is significantly higher than trinitrotoluene, also known as trotyl. The expert added that the current information about the explosions indicates that the terrorists received significant funding to conduct their activities.

Meanwhile, the island has a number of restrictive measures. On the night of April 23, local authorities introduced a state of emergency.

Schools of Sri Lanka are closed until April 29, universities will not work until a special order, all exams are postponed. April 23 on the island declared the day of mourning.

  • AFP
  • © Ishara S. KODIKARA

In addition, the police asked the drivers to leave phone numbers on the windshields of their cars in the event that the car is parked along the roadway.

The Daily Mirror reports, citing a government source, that a ban on wearing the burqa and niqab is being considered in Sri Lanka. According to the newspaper, this decision may be related to the materials of interrogation of one of the detainees, from which it follows that a large number of women were allegedly involved in the bombings.

On the evening of April 22, the UN Security Council issued a statement in which members of the organization condemned a series of attacks in Sri Lanka and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“The members of the Security Council have sharply condemned a series of horrible and despicable terrorist attacks,” reads the document.

Council members stressed the need to find the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism and bring them to justice. The organization called on all states to actively cooperate with the Sri Lankan government and other authorities in investigating attacks.

* “Islamic State” (IG) - the organization is recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.

** Al-Qaida is an organization recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.