Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga visits St. Sebastians Church in Katuwapitiya

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today (Apr 22) visited the St. Sebastians Church in Katuwapitiya following the explosion which claimed the lives of several devotees yesterday.

A team of officials from the Government Analysts Department carried out investigations at the Church today, Meegamuwa Police said.

The remains of 107 persons who had died following the explosion at the church have been handed over to the relatives of the victims.

However, the identities of 18 bodies are yet to be established. A DNA test is to be carried out on the victims' bodies following which steps would then be taken to handover the remains to relatives, hospital officials noted.

A team of judicial medical doctors along with officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department had also carried out investigations at the scene of the explosion today.

Police, tri-forces, and Special Task Force personnel have been deployed for security at the church.

(Pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe)