Sri Lanka attacks: Mourning begins as death toll rises to 310

COLOMBO: The mass funeral has begun in Sri Lanka as the island country marks a national day of mourning for the victims of Sunday’s bomb blasts.

Media reports said that the death toll of the attacks on churches and hotels has increased to 310.

Sri Lanka observed three minutes of silence on Tuesday, A state of emergency is in effect to prevent any further attacks.

The government of Sri Lanka has blamed the blasts on local Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), which it claimed has links with some international terrorist groups.

Sri Lankan police have so far arrested over 40 suspects in connection with the attack, reports said.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast and people bowed their heads in silence in respect to the victims.

It should be noted that the Sri Lankan authorities had received warnings two weeks before the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, a cabinet spokesman admitted on Monday.

Sri Lanka’s health minister Rajitha Senaratne said fourteen days before the incident, they had been informed about these incidents. (Agencies)