The Sri Lankan government has blamed a local Islamist group for the devastating attacks on Christian churches and hotels. Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said behind the attacks of nearly 300 dead were the group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ). According to his statements, Sri Lanka's authorities also check whether the group had "international support".
Overall, there had been at least eight detonations on Sunday, including three in churches and three more in luxury hotels. The explosions happened almost at the same time. The death toll rose last to 290th That said a police spokesman on Monday. Another 500 people were injured. Among the dead, at least 35 foreigners should be.
According to the government, most of the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers. This resulted in investigations of the three almost simultaneous explosions in three churches and three luxury hotels on Sunday morning (local time).
For the two later explosions in another hotel and a residential area in suburbs of the capital Colombo, there were initially no details. Police have now arrested 24 suspects who would be interrogated.
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