Easter Sunday blasts: 138 dead; 402 persons injured

The death toll in the six explosions reported across the island has increased to 138 persons with 402 persons injured.

The Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Anil Jaasinghe said 9 foreigners are among the deceased.

Explosions were reported at the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, the Katuwapitiya Church in Katana and the Zion Church in Batticaloa and three leading hotels in Colombo this morning.

The explosions at the churches were reported during Easter Sunday services.Police say security has been beefed up across Colombo and in areas where explosions have been reported.

Police have meanwhile requested the public to refrain from loitering adjacent to areas where the explosion was reported..

The Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara has ordered the cancellation of all leave of Policemen following the explosions..

The Government Information Department issuing a statement said the Police have already commenced investigations into the six explosions.

The government has called for calm among the people and requested citizens to refrain from sharing false and unconfirmed information.

Meanwhile security at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake has also been beefed up following the explosions reported this morning.

Furthermore the government announced that all schools in the island will be closed tomorrow and on Tuesday in the wake of the six explosions reported in the country.

The Cabinet of Ministers will meanwhile convene for a special meeting under the auspices of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at 3pm at the Temple Trees.

Earlier Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva taking to twitter said the Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Secretary of Defence, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with State Minister of Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene along with several Ministers at the Ministry of Defence.