Public mass in terror-hit Sri Lanka to resume from May 5

Public services in Sri Lanka would be resumed in certain Catholic churches from May 5 after remaining suspended for over a week, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, announced on Tuesday. Public mass in the country was cancelled after Easter Sunday when a string of powerful blasts tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels, killing 253 people and injuring more than 500 others.

The cardinal, who conducted a private memorial mass on Sunday fearing a repeat of the Easter attacks, told media that bags will not be allowed to be taken inside the churches owing to security measures.

Commenting on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) amendments the cardinal said, "It is easier to amend the existing legislation rather than bringing in a new one. Effective measures should be taken to apprehend the individuals and groups responsible for these attacks in order to prevent people from taking the law into their hands."

"No party should think of elections at this moment. We will even have to take to the streets and lead peaceful protests if the government continues to handle the situation in the manner it presently does. Action should be taken against ministers and MPs if they were found guilty of being part of the Easter Sunday bombings," the religious leader was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

The closing of the churches came after local officials and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo warned that more militants remained on the loose with explosives. The Easter attacks were carried out by seven suicide bombers who blew themselves up targeting three churches and three luxury hotels. Two other suicide bombers died triggering blasts, one to avoid capture by the police and another at an inn where he was staying.