UPDATE : Six blasts leave 101 dead , over 400 injured

A total of six explosions were reported at three churches and three hotels across the country this morning (Apr 21).

The explosion at the St. Anthony's Kochchikade Church in Kotahena left 160 persons injured while 300 people had been injured at the Zion Church in Batticaloa. Further, another blast was reported at the St. Sebastian Church at 8:45 am leaving 50 dead, police said.

In addition, three blasts were reported at the Kingsbury, Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand hotels in Colombo this morning as well. Foreigners and locals who were injured during the blasts in Colombo were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital.

It is reported that some victims were later transferred to the Kalubowila Teaching hospital.

Meanwhile, it is reported that 24 people have died following the blasts in Colombo while 27 people had died following the blast at the Zion Church which left 73 injured in Batticaloa. 

Explosions at two churches in Kotahena, Katana, Batticaloa : Blasts at Cinnamon Grand and Shangri La

An explosion has been reported at the St. Anthony's Kochchikade Church in Kotahena at around 8:45 am this morning leaving 160 persons injured.

Another blast had also been reported at the St Sebastian Church in Katana at the same time, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

A large number of people have been hospitalised after sustaining injuries during the blast, the Spokesman told Times Online.

Meanwhile, 10 people have died while over 300 people sustained injuries in another blast which was reported at a church in Batticaloa. 

This is in addition to two blasts which were reported at the Cinnamon Grand and Shangri-La hotels in Colombo.

(Captured below are scenes from the explosion at the St Sebastian Church in Katana)