Over 137 people were killed and hundreds injured as a series of near-simultaneous explosions ripped through three churches and three high-end hotels in three Sri Lankan cities on Easter Sunday.
The blasts hit three hotels and one church in Colombo, while two other churches were targeted in Negombo and Batticaloa, police said.
The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear, but an official speaking on condition of anonymity said police suspects the blasts at the churches in Colombo and Batticaloa were carried out by suicide bombers. There have been no immediate claims of responsibility.
An emergency security council meeting has been called by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, sources told
Reuters. The prime minister condemned the attacks.
Following the attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena in an address said he was shocked by the explosions and appealed for calm.
Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, writing on his verified Twitter account, said the attacks had killed "many innocent people" and appeared to be a "well-coordinated attempt to create murder, mayhem and anarchy."
At a glance:
- Three hotels ─ Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury ─ targeted in Colombo
- One church targeted each in Colombo (St Anthony's Shrine), Negombo (St Sebastian's Church) and Batticaloa (Zion Church)
- 45 killed in Colombo blasts: police
- 25 killed in Batticaloa blast: police
- 67 killed in Negombo blast: police
- 9 foreigners dead: police
The first explosions were reported at St Anthony's Church in Colombo and St Sebastian's Church in the town of Negombo just outside the capital.
An individual identified as Alex Agileson who was in the vicinity said the buildings in the surrounding area shook with the blast. He said a number of injured were carried off in ambulances.
At least 160 people injured in the St Anthony's blast have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital by mid-morning, an official told
AFP.
National Hospital spokesperson Dr. Samindi Samarakoon said nearly 300 wounded were admitted to the capital's main hospital.
"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.
Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony's Shrine. ─ Reuters
Shortly after those blasts were reported, police confirmed three hotels in the capital had also been hit, along with a church in the town of Batticalao, in the east of the country.
An official at the Batticaloa hospital told
AFP that more than 300 people had been admitted with injuries following the blast there.
Photos circulating on social media showed the roof of one church had been almost blown off in the blast. The floor was littered with a mixture of roof tiles, splintered wood and blood. Several people could be seen covered in blood, with some trying to help those with more serious injuries. The images could not immediately be verified.
DailyMirror
✔@Dailymirror_SL
Breaking News : Explosions were reported at St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena and St.Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya,in Katana a short while ago, police said.
#SriLanka
311
11:35 PM - Apr 20, 2019
593 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Only around 6 per cent of mainly Buddhist Sri Lanka is Catholic, but the religion is seen as a unifying force because it includes people from both the Tamil and majority Sinhalese ethnic groups.
Police chief warned of threat 10 days ago
According to a document accessed by
AFP, the Sri Lankan police chief had warned of possible suicide attacks targeting "prominent churches" in a nationwide alert 10 days ago.
Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara sent an intelligence warning to top officers on April 11 setting out the threat.
"A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian High Commission in Colombo," said the alert. The NTJ came to notice last year when it was linked to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues.
'We stand with Sri Lanka'
Pakistan condemns the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the Foreign Office spokesperson tweeted.
"The people and Government of Pakistan stand by the people and Government of Sri Lanka at this moment of tragedy and against terror," Dr Mohammad Faisal said.
Dr Mohammad Faisal@DrMFaisal
Pakistan condemns explosions and terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka at Churches & Hotels, that have led to numerous casualties and immense loss. People and Government of Pakistan stand by people and Government of Sti Lanka at this moment of tragedy and against terror
@MFA_SriLanka
365
12:26 AM - Apr 21, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
165 people are talking about this
Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari condemned the attack in a tweet, saying that terrorism needs a strong united global approach to be effectively defeated worldwide.
"We stand with our Sri Lankan brethren as they confront these brutal terrorist attacks," Mazari said.
Shireen Mazari
✔@ShireenMazari1
Strongly condemn the terrorist attacks on churches & hotels in Colombo on Easter Sunday. Terrorism needs a strong united global approach to be effectively defeated worldwide. We stand with our Sri Lankan brethren as they confront these brutal terrorist attacks.
399
12:33 AM - Apr 21, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
74 people are talking about this
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
)
)
