Sri Lankan public urged to surrender swords, knives

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Colombo, April 22, 2019 (Xinhua) -- People work at a blast scene at St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 21, 2019. The death toll from the multiple blasts that ripped through Sri Lanka on Sunday rose to 228 while 450 others were injured, local media quoting hospital sources said.

Colombo,  Sri Lankan authorities have urged the public to surrender swords and large knives amid heightened security concerns following the deadly April 21 Easter Sunday bombings.

On Saturday, the Sri Lanka Police’s media unit said the public has time until Sunday to handover the swords and knives at the nearest police stations, reports the Daily Mirror.

The police also requested not to park vehicles after 1 p.m. on Sunday near any schools in Colombo as special search operations were scheduled to be conducted in those areas.

Since the gruesome attacks that killed 253 people and injured over 500 others, law enforcement authorities have seized a large number of weapons from various parts of the island nation.

The call came as investigations into the deadly bombings continue.

Sunday marks two weeks since the bombings that targeted churches and hotels, majority in the capital Colombo.