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Sri Lanka attacks: Mass funeral on day of mourning
April 23, 2019

Sri Lanka has held its first mass funeral amid a day of mourning for the victims of Sunday's bomb blasts.

The death toll from the attacks on churches and hotels has risen to 321 with about 500 wounded.

A state of emergency is in effect to prevent further attacks.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed the attack on Tuesday via its news outlet.

Sri Lanka's government has blamed the blasts on local Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ).

Police said 40 suspects in connection with the attack have been detained.

Meanwhile, Defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene told parliament that preliminary investigations indicated the bombings were in retaliation for deadly attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March.