COLOMBO: Sri Lankan officials said that the string of explosions killing 290 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday was carried out with the support of an international network, local media reported.

The Lankan government has blamed a local jihadist group, National Thowheed Jamath. However, no-one has admitted carrying out the attacks that injured around 500 people in the suicide attacks on hotels and churches.

Authorities said a nationwide emergency will be declared from midnight on Monday. So far, 24 people have been arrested in a series of raids.

Officials said there was an international network involved without which these attacks could not have succeeded.

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena would ask for foreign help to track down the international links to the attackers, officials have said.

The president’s Office said that the intelligence reports show that foreign terrorist groups are behind the local terrorists.

A curfew is to be imposed from 20:00 until 04:00 on Tuesday, officials said adding that a national day of mourning has been scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has issued revised travel advice urging greater caution, saying: “Terrorist groups continue plotting possibel attacks in Sri Lanka.” (Agencies)