Jaffna University teaching hospital was flooded with blood donors earlier today as the teaching hospital started an emergency blood donor drive.

Local community members poured through the hospital to donate blood over the course of Easter Sunday, to assist ongoing emergency medical efforts for those affected by the bomb blasts.

 

Global Affairs Canada has described the current situation in Sri Lanka as “volatile” in a travel advisory released earlier today. 

The Canadian government also stated that “others attacks could occur throughout the country”. It called on Canadians to “be aware of how curfew may impact your movements, and limit them as much as possible”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined a long list of world leaders responding to the attacks. 

<p>The Archbishop of Colombo has urged Sri Lankans not to take the law into their own hands in response to today's string of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka.</p> <p>In a statement today, the Archbishop of Colombo said, “it’s a very, very sad day for all of us.</p> <p>I wish to therefore express my deepest sorrow and sympathy to all those innocent families that have lost someone and also to those who have been injured and rendered destitute.&nbsp;</p> <p>I would like to call upon all to pray that all those who are injured may be healed soon and that all these families who have lost someone may be consoled.</p>

<p>The Tamil National Alliance has released a statement condemning the&nbsp;Easter Sunday bomb today.</p> <p>The <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/TNAmediaoffice/status/1119897132243329024?s=…">statement reads</a>:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p> "The horrific attacks that took place today targeting churches and hotels in Batticaloa and Colombo are an attack on all of us, not just some of us.</p>

An island-wide curfew has been declared by Sri Lankan miltiary and police following blasts in Batticaloa and Colombo on Easter Sunday.

At a press conference earlier today, Sri Lanka's State Minister of Defence, Ruwan WIjewardene said the government would impose an island wide curfew for the time being. 

While the curfew was initially announced as in operation between 6pm and 6am, the government took the decision to bring the curfew forward with immediate effect.

At least 160 have been killed in eight explosions, with the death toll rising.

The Prime Minister of India has condemned the bombings of churches and hotels in Batticaloa and Colombo which have killed over 150 this morning.

“Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka,” Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. “There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.”

Eight explosions have been reported so far with the death toll rising. British and American citizens are reported to be among several foreign citizens killed.

World Leaders have condemned the Easter Sunday bomb attack in Sri Lanka in statements released today.

In a tweet this morning Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, said:

"Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief".

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, said on Twitter:

<p>Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain’s Labour Party, has condemned the Easter Sunday bomb blasts in Sri Lanka in a statement.&nbsp;</p> <p>Corbyn tweeted, "I'm appalled by the horrific attacks in Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar.</p> <p>I stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world, We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect."</p> <p>Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, also condemned the attack tweeting:<br>

<p>The British Prime Minister has condemned the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in Sri Lanka in a statement released today.</p> <p>In a tweet this morning, Ms Theresa May, <a href="https://twitter.com/theresa_may/status/1119881548373868544?s=21">said,</a></p> <p>“The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time.</p> <p>We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear.”</p>

Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena said that the security forces had been deployed to churches that had been struck by bomb blasts on Easter Sunday morning, as the death toll from the series of explosions continue to rise.

In a statement this morning, Sirisena appealed for calm and said the security forces had began investigations into the blasts. Reports suggest that at least 200 soldiers have been deployed to churches affected by the blast.