22 Jul 2019 | 09:04 PM UTC
Sri Lanka: State of emergency extended until late August /update 2
State of emergency extended in Sri Lanka on July 22 for another month until late August in wake of Easter bombings; heightened security measures to be expected nationwide
Event
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday, July 22, extended the ongoing state of emergency in the country for another month until late August in the wake of the Easter Day bomb attacks targeting churches and hotels that killed over 250 people. Though officials report that most suspects associated with the Easter bombings have been caught, the move allows security forces to continue to arrest and question remaining at-large suspects without court orders.
Continued heightened security measures, including checkpoints and security operations, are to be expected across Sri Lanka over the coming month.
Context
A series of coordinated bombings struck Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (April 21), killing at least 258 people, including 40 foreign nationals, and wounding approximately 500 others. Churches and prominent hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa were targeted in the attacks. Authorities blamed a local Islamist group, National Thowheeth Jama'ath, for the attacks, claiming that the group planned the bombings with assistance from an international terrorist organization. The Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack via its media arm on April 23.
Advice
Individuals in Sri Lanka are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate heightened security measures, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
