At least 150 casualties have been reported as multiple blasts hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Three Sri Lankan churches and three hotels were rocked with explosions in what seemed to be a terror attack aimed at tourists.
“A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there,” read a post in English on the Facebook page of the St Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo.
One of the churches, St Anthony’s Shrine, and the three hotels in Colombo, are frequented by foreign tourists. The other two churches are in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo, and the eastern town of Batticaloa.
Indian Foreign Minister has advised to Indian to get in touch with Indian diplomats for any assistance they may require.
Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
In addition to the numbers given below, Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may also call the following numbers +94777902082 +94772234176
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
The Government Of Sri Lanka is reviewing the situation at the highest level and Army has been deployed
Heads of Army, Navy, Airforce and IG along with Sec/Def, Sec/For Affairs meeting with @RWijewardene along with a few of us Ministers at MOD. All necessary emergency steps taken by Gov of #SriLanka. Soon official statement will be issued. pic.twitter.com/WkVQdcA5bT
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Only around 6 per cent of mainly Buddhist Sri Lanka is Catholic, and the island has not witnessed any anti-Christian or anti-foreigner activities in any time in last half a century. Tourism forms a major part of country’s economic recovery after a bloody civil war that ended almost a decade ago.
No-one has yet said they were responsible for the attacks.
This is a developing story, and may change as the events unfold
