RENFREWSHIRE will today pay its respects to victims of the bombings in Sri Lanka.

A wave of attacks targeting churches and hotels on Easter Sunday left more than 320 people dead and another 500 injured.

Most of those killed were Sri Lankan but officials say at least 38 foreigners were among the dead, including a number of British nationals.

Flags at Renfrewshire Council’s headquarters will be lowered today in remembrance of the victims.

Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this horrific tragedy.

“We stand together with the people of Sri Lanka and offer our deepest sympathies to them during this difficult time.

“Any acts of terrorism are to be abhorred and, no matter what country it happens in, it is heart breaking.”

The Islamic State (IS) group yesterday claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Sri Lanka’s government had previously blamed the blasts on local Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ).

Eight blasts were reported, including at three churches during Easter services.

Three hotels in the capital Colombo – the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand – were also targeted.

NTJ has no history of large-scale attacks but came to prominence last year when it was blamed for damaging Buddhist statues.

The group has not said it carried out Sunday’s bombings.

The attacks have highlighted rifts in Sri Lanka’s leadership, after it emerged that authorities were warned about an imminent threat from the NTJ jihadist group.

But Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the cabinet were not informed, ministers said.

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