The death toll in yesterday’s serial blasts in Sri Lanka has risen to 290, with more than 500 people injured. As many as 32 foreign nationals, including five Indians, are among those killed.

Sri Lankan government has said that a local religious group National Tawheed Jamaath is behind the attack.

Addressing a press conference, Cabinet Minister and Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said the international support behind the attacks is being investigated and they are trying to ascertain how suicide bombers were prepared as such a small local group cannot organise attacks at such a level.

The minister said there were inputs from international intelligence agencies earlier warning of such suicide attacks and expressed regret that it could not be avoided. He said that there was a circular issued by DIG police on 11th of this month advising security agencies to be vigilant. The minister also added that detailed security checks out is being carried out at all sensitive places across the country as there are inputs of more such attacks.

Twenty-four local suspects have been arrested across the country. President Maithripala Sirisena announced the appointment of a special committee, led by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the attacks and submit its report within two weeks.

An Improvised Explosive Device was detected and defused near the departure area of Bandaranaike International Airport last evening. Security has been tightened at all sensitive places. Police Curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. tomorrow. Schools are closed till tomorrow while Universities have been instructed to close down till further notice.