COLOMBO: Easter Day bomb blasts at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels killed about 207 people and wounded more than 450 including five Pakistan nationals, a hospital director and police officials said, following a lull in major attacks since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.
In just one church, St. Sebastian’s in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo, more than 50 people had been killed, a police official told Reuters, with pictures showing bodies on the ground, blood on the pews and a destroyed roof.
There were no claims of responsibility for the attacks until the publishing of this story. It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka is a country which was at war with Tamil separatists for decades until 2009, during which bomb blasts in the capital were common.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a Tweet, said, “I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.”
The three hotels hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel and Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
St. Sebastian’s church posted pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page, showing blood on pews and the floor, and requested help from the public.
