New explosion, state of emergency mode and the day of mourning: what happens in Sri Lanka after a series of terrorist attacks

A new explosion thundered on Monday in Colombo, the largest city of Sri Lanka. According to Reuters, the explosive device worked in a van parked near the church. It is reported that the bomb detonated at that moment, when the sappers tried to neutralize it.

Later, News 1st, referring to the local police, reported that the explosion was controlled and was part of a set of neutralization measures. According to the publication, explosives were discovered during a search of a suspicious vehicle.

The moment STF officers executed the controlled bombing of Kotahena # lka # SriLankapic.twitter.com / lCuEEkyxSP

Earlier, Ada Derana reported, citing police representatives, that 87 detonators for explosive devices had been found at a bus station in one of the Colombo districts. In addition, even earlier, servicemen found and defused a bomb near the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Nearly 300 dead in eight explosions

Recall, on April 21 in Sri Lanka, there were eight explosions. The first six thundered in three Catholic churches and hotels in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. The seventh occurred in the west of the island in Dehiwala, and the eighth occurred in a residential complex in Dematagod, a suburb of Colombo.

According to the latest data, a series of terrorist attacks caused the death of 290 people, more than 500 were injured. Among the victims are citizens of the United States, Britain, China, Japan, Australia and India.

According to the newspaper Metro, in the explosions in Sri Lanka, three children of the richest man of Denmark, Anders Holch Povlsen, died. The publication reports that the billionaire family went to the island to celebrate Easter.

The television channel Al Arabiya later reported that an organization called “Jamaat al-Tawhid al-Watania” (“National Unity”) claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, the broadcaster did not provide any information about this organization.

Sri Lanka police detained 24 people in connection with a series of explosions, News 1st reported. According to the channel, nine of them were detained until May 6.

According to local authorities, the first six terrorist attacks carried out seven suicide bombers. Two of them staged a self-explosion at the five-star Shangri-La hotel on the coast of Colombo. It clarifies Reuters, citing eyewitnesses, hotel guests came for breakfast at the time of the explosion.

The government of Sri Lanka expressed the opinion that forces outside the island were involved in the attack. 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 is involved in the explosions, ”the agency cites the words of Senaratne.

Emergency measures

The authorities of Sri Lanka decided to enter the state of emergency from midnight on April 23. This was stated by local media with reference to the official message of the government.

"The presidential press service issued a statement saying that laws relating to the prevention of terrorism will be made public in accordance with emergency legislation from midnight," the television channel News 1st reported.

According to the broadcaster, the decision was taken to empower the police and armed forces with the powers necessary to ensure public safety.

On the night of April 22-23, a curfew will also be in effect on the island. The special mode takes effect at 20:00 and will last until 04:00 local time (18: 00—02: 00 Moscow Time).

In addition, on April 23 in Sri Lanka, declared a day of mourning.

“Inhuman acts that never deserve justification”

Representatives of religious denominations, in particular, the Pope of Rome, spoke about the events in Sri Lanka.

According to RIA Novosti, the pontiff, during his address to believers on Easter Monday, touched upon the theme of terrorist acts on the island. He expressed "spiritual and fraternal intimacy" to the people of Sri Lanka.

“I ask everyone, without hesitation, to provide all the necessary assistance to this expensive country. In addition, I express the hope that everyone will condemn these terrorist acts, inhuman acts that will never deserve justification, ”said Francis.

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In turn, Patriarch Kirill expressed his condolences to the President of Sri Lanka Maitripale Sirisene.

“The terrorists have chosen not only residential and public buildings as objects of their attacks, but also Christian churches, in which many believers gathered to participate in the celebration of Easter. I ask you to convey the words of sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as the wishes of a speedy recovery to all the wounded, ”the patriarch said in a statement published on the Russian Orthodox Church’s website.

Patriarch Kirill expressed the hope that "the government and law enforcement agencies of Sri Lanka will do everything possible so that not only the perpetrators, but also the organizers of these bloody crimes will not escape responsibility for the atrocities committed."