Sri Lanka bombings: Businessman Karan Arora

1. Sri Lanka bombings: All the latest updates At least 500 wounded as South Asian nation reels from the attacks that targeted churches and hotels across the country. A series of coordinated explosions has rocked churches and hotels in Sri Lanka killing almost 300 people on Easter Sunday in the South Asian island nation. More than 500 people have been injured in the worst attack since the end of the civil war 10 years ago. The blasts targeted four hotels, including the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and the Cinnamon Grand in the capital Colombo. Nearly all victims were Sri Lankan. Dozens of foreigners were also killed. There were no claims of responsibility for the attacks. Here are the latest updates: Monday, April 22: Death toll rises to 290: police The death toll from the Easter Sunday explosions in Sri Lanka has risen to 290 with almost 500 people wounded, a police spokesperson said on Monday. The police added that the investigation into the bombings will examine reports that the intelligence community failed to detect or warn of possible suicide attacks before the violence.

2. Authorities also lifted a curfew that was in place overnight following the bombings. The streets in the capital, Colombo, were largely deserted on Monday morning, with most shops closed and a heavy deployment of soldiers and police. More arrests made by the police Police say they have now arrested at least 24 people in connection to Sunday's bombings. Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara said that the individuals arrested, all locals, were being questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department. Improvised bomb defused near Colombo airport: police An improvised pipe bomb discovered close to Colombo's main airport has been successfully defused, according to police. The "homemade" pipe bomb was found late on Sunday on a road leading towards the main terminal, which remains open with heavy security after deadly attacks on churches and hotels. Sunday, April 21: 'No one can dry our tears today' Sinan M Salahuddin's uncle, 43-year-old Mohamed Rishard was killed when an explosion hit the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. "He was my mentor, my guardian. It is a huge loss for us," he told Al Jazeera. Rishard the owner of the automobile dealership Exotic Cars, left behind his wife, three teenage daughters and an 11-year-old son. "He started his business from scratch, he was a self-made man and always wanted to help others in need. He was a mentor to many," said 29-year-old Salahuddin. "His wife is devastated ... No one can dry our tears today," he said.

3. Read more here Police say 13 suspects arrested Ruwan Gunasekara, a police spokesperson, said 13 suspects have been arrested in connection with the bombings in Sri Lanka In a statement, Gunasekara said police have obtained a vehicle they suspect was used to transport the suspects into Colombo. Police also found a safe house used by the attackers, it added. Gov't 'alerted to possible attacks before bombings' Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged that "information was there" about possible attacks before bomb blasts ripped through churches and hotels in Colombo and two other towns. "While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," he said. Eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the deadly blasts, Wickremesinghe said. "So far the names that have come up are local," he said, adding that investigators would look into whether the attackers had any "overseas links". Read more here. Muslim groups condemn attacks Two Muslim groups in Sri Lanka condemned the attacks on churches and hotels in the country on Easter Sunday that killed more than 200 people. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said it mourns the loss of innocent people in the blasts by violent elements who seek to divide religious and ethnic groups. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, a body of Muslim scholars, said targeting Christian places of worship was unacceptable.

4. Indians, Turks, Britons among victims The nationalities of 11 foreigners killed in the Easter Sunday blasts have been verified, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said. They include three Indians, one Portuguese national, two Turkish nationals, three British nationals and two holding US and British nationalities. Nine foreigners were reported missing, the statement added. 'Heart-wrenching scenes' Family members of victims were given a chance to identify the bodies of their loved ones, as body bags were lined up outside the St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo late on Sunday evening. "There were absolutely heart-wrenching scenes," said Al Jazeera's Minelle Fernandez, reporting from the church. "Hundreds of people were wailing at the top of their voices as families who were looking for missing loved ones were allowed to look at the fatalities from this church." "Many of the people still do not where their loved ones are," she added. UK says citizens caught in bombings The British high commissioner to Sri Lanka said the UK government understands that "some British citizens were caught in the blasts" but it is too soon to say how many might have been affected. James Dauris urged Britons to get in touch with family members to let them know they are safe. Two Turkish engineers killed in blasts Two Turkish citizens were among those killed in bomb blasts at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka, according to Turkey's state media Anadolu Agency. The Turks were engineers working on a project in Sri Lanka, Anadolu reported.

5. Chinese national killed in attacks One Chinese national was killed during the attacks on Sri Lankan churches and hotels on Sunday, Chinese state newspaper People's Daily said. Earlier, state news agency Xinhua said four Chinese nationals were injured, but were in a stable condition in hospital. Also check: PM Modi on Sri Lanka Blasts – Karan Arora Chandigarh Seven suspects arrested The defence minister says seven suspects linked to the blasts have been arrested as security was stepped up at Sri Lanka's international airport. PM calls emergency meeting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened Sri Lanka's top military officials at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council following the blasts. He has also called for an emergency convening of the nation's parliament on Monday. Source