Delhi: A fresh blast was heard in Sri Lanka near Colombo on Thursday, days after a series of eight powerful blasts rocked the island nation killing about 360 people and injuring more than 500 people.The blast was heard in Pugoda town, 40 km east of Sri Lankan capital, reported Reuters. However, no casualty has been reported as of now.
As per the report, the explosion took place near a vacant land behind the magistrates court in Pugoda.This comes after the Sri Lankan government on Wednesday admitted that major intelligence lapses paved way for the brutal bombings which ravaged the country on Easter Sunday. The government also indicated that heads will have to roll at the security level for failing to act on the tip-offs.
President Sirisena o Wednesday, asked for removal of Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara over the mishandling of the intelligence reports in the lead up to Easter Sunday's bombings.
Authorities in Sri Lanka continued their search operations on Thursday with the help of army and arrested 16 more suspects in connection with the horrific Easter Sunday blasts in which more than 350 people were killed.
The arrested people were being interrogated at length by investigation sleuths in connection with the country's deadliest attack.
Nine suicide bombers, believed to be the members of a local Islamist extremist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels.
As many as 359 people have been killed in the attacks while 500 others injured, according to authorities.
Officials said that with the arrest of 16 more people on Wednesday, the total number of suspects under police custody has risen to 76.
Many of the arrested people have suspected links to the NTJ, the group blamed for the bombings. However, the NTJ has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks and identified suicide bombers who carried out the devastating blasts.
Authorities have deployed thousands of troops to help police carry out search operations.
Over 5,000 army personnel have been deployed around the country.
