Sri Lanka warns there could be MORE terror attacks as it is revealed security officials were tipped off TWO HOURS before the attack and probe is launched into intelligence failings

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Sri Lanka's prime minister has warned there are more explosives and militants 'out there' after an Easter terror attack that killed over 320 people.

Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed that his security services were tipped off about the threat and said some officials will likely lose their jobs over the failings.

It came as Indian and Sri Lankan security sources said a warning was sent from India two hours before the strike warning of a specific threat against churches. 

Speaking after ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, Mr Wickremesinghe said he believes the attackers did have links to the group, but this is still be investigated.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, said ministers will likely lose their jobs over security failings which meant warnings about Sunday's terror attack were ignored

Mr Wickremesinghe said he believes the attackers had links to ISIS, but the extent of their involvement with the group is being investigated (pictured, purported plot mastermind Moulvi Zahran Hashim pledging allegiance to the group) 

The Prime Minister also warned that more attackers and bombs are 'out there' as the official death toll from the attack was raised to 321 

At least 321 people, including 45 children, have been killed in the attacks, according to the United Nations, with another 500 wounded. 

Mr Wickremesinghe confirmed that a planned attack at a fourth hotel had failed and that India's embassy had been considered a target.

The leader of a local militant group blamed for the assault may have led the attacks and been killed, he added, without naming the man.

Moulvi Zahran Hashim, leader of National Thowfeek Jamaath, is widely reported to have master-minded the attacks.

Sri Lankan and Indian security officers said that a warning had been sent about a threat against churches two hours before the attack was carried out.  

Indian intelligence officers contacted their Sri Lankan counterparts before the first attack to warn of a specific threat on churches, one Sri Lankan defence source and an Indian government source said.

Another Sri Lankan defence source said warnings came 'hours before' the first strike.

Mass funerals were held in the capital Colombo (pictured) and the nearby town of Negambo on Tuesday to bury some of the victims of the attack

A three-minute nationwide silence was observed starting from 8.30am, the time the first bomb exploded on Sunday, as some of the victims was laid to rest

One of the Sri Lankan sources said a warning was also sent by the Indians on Saturday night. The Indian government source said similar messages had been given to Sri Lankan intelligence agents on April 4 and April 20.

Mr Wickremesinghe did not confirm claims by minister of defense Ruwan Wijewardene that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the New Zealand mosque shooting.

Mr Wijewardene made the comment to parliament on Tuesday but without offering evidence to back his claim.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office said it was aware of the reporting, but had not seen any intelligence to base the claims on. 

White supremacist Brenton Tarrant allegedly slaughtered 50 worshippers at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on March 15 while live-streaming the shooting on Facebook. 

Sri Lanka fell silent for three minutes Tuesday on a day of national mourning to honour those killed in the suicide blasts.

The silence began at 8.30am to mark the time the first bomb detonated while flags were lowered to half mast on government buildings, and liquor shops were ordered closed for the day.

Priests gather in front of a coffin during the religious mass at St Sebastian Church in Negambo

Relatives of the dead offer their prayers during funerals in Katuwapity village in Negambo

Mass burials also took place at St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, one of those targeted during the attack, as thousands of people gathered to pay their respects. 

The first memorial services for the victims, among them dozens of foreigners, were being held today, hours after the government imposed a state of emergency. 

At St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo - where scores died as they gathered for Easter Sunday prayers - a few dozen people held candles and prayed silently, palms pressed together.

And at St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, north of the capital, an elderly man wept uncontrollably by the coffin bearing the body of his wife. More than 1,000 mourners gathered at the church where more than 100 parishioners were killed.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Sri Lanka who led the service, urged other churches to delay memorials amid fears that more bombers may be at large.

'The security forces have not cleared the situation yet ... there could be more attacks on public gatherings,' he told reporters.

'I urge priests to not conduct any services at churches until I notify.'

Police said that 40 people were now under arrest over the suicide bomb attacks - the worst atrocity since Sri Lanka's civil war ended a decade ago.

Suicide bomber family took part in Sri Lanka attack

Two sons of a wealthy spice trader carried out suicide blasts in the Sri Lanka terror attacks on Easter Sunday, part of a wave of bombings that killed 321 people.

The Muslim brothers, whose names have not been revealed, blew themselves up as guests queued for breakfast at the Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand hotels in the capital.

They were in their late twenties and operated their own 'family cell', an investigation officer said. It is not known where their parents are.

The Muslim brothers, whose names have not been revealed, blew themselves up as guests queued for breakfast at the Shangri-La (pictured) and Cinnamon Grand hotels in the capital

One brother gave false identity details when he checked into the hotel, but the other gave a real address which led police commandos to their family home in a commercial area of Colombo.

When the Special Task Force went to the house to investigate, one brother's wife set off a bomb, killing herself and her two children, according to police sources.

Three police commandos were killed in the blast, and several extended family members are among those in detention.

'It was a single terror cell operated by one family,' the investigator said. 'They had the cash and the motivation. They operated the cell and it is believed they influenced their extended family.'

When the Special Task Force went to the house to investigate, one brother's wife set off a bomb, killing herself and her two children. Pictured: soldiers patrolling near luxury hotels today 

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