Hundreds of Sri Lankans prayed outside the bombed St Anthony's Church in Colombo on Tuesday to mark one month since the Easter Sunday attacks.
The special service was held even as the church, first built in 1740, was being restored following the bombing.
The anniversary also coincided with the partial reopening of Catholic schools after an extended Easter holiday.
The country's army chief said security forces would ensure schools were not targeted by the IS terror groups.
Lebanese parliament plans session to elect president
Lebanon's parliament will convene on January 9 to elect a president after a two-year vacuum, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said on Thursday.
Opposition disrupts Indian parliament for fourth day
The lower house of India's parliament was suspended temporarily on Friday for a fourth day in a row this week following disruptions as opposition lawmakers sought a discussion on the allegations against Adani Group.
Russia hits Ukrainian energy facilities, causes blackouts
Russia unleashed on Thursday its second big attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this month, leaving much of the country without power.
Syrian and Russian jets bomb rebel-held northwest Syria
Russian and Syrian warplanes bombed rebel-held northwest Syria near the border with Turkey on Thursday to push back an offensive that captured territory for the first time in years, Syrian army and rebel sources said.
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