Attacks on churches and hotels killed 310 people and wounded nearly 500.

Security agencies had been watching the National Thowheed Jamath jihadist group, reports said, and had notified police about a possible attack.

But the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the cabinet were not informed, ministers said. On Tuesday, the country is observing a day to "mourn the senseless loss of innocent lives," Mr Wickremesinghe said in a statement posted to Twitter.

"It is imperative that we remain unified as Sri Lankans in the face of this unspeakable tragedy," he added.

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