Sri Lanka curfew imposed immediately 'until further notice'

Sri Lankan security personnel keep watch outside the church premises following a blast at the St. Anthony`s Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on 21 April 2019. Photo: AFP
Sri Lankan security personnel keep watch outside the church premises following a blast at the St. Anthony`s Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on 21 April 2019. Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka's government imposed a nationwide curfew Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice", after a string of deadly blasts.

Sri Lanka's defence ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away.

Nearly 160 people were killed Sunday in eight attacks targeting churches and hotels across the country, with hundreds of people injured.