Published 14:35 IST, April 21st 2019
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena condemns the blasts while expressing his condolences to all those affected and families
In the wake of the multiple blasts which have hit Sri Lanka killing 156 (which include 35 foreigners) and injuring over 400 people on Sunday, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has condemned the blasts and shared a special message expressing his condolences to all those affected and families.
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In the wake of the multiple blasts which have hit Sri Lanka killing 156 (which include 35 foreigners) and injuring over 400 people on Sunday, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has condemned the blasts and shared a special message expressing his condolences to all those affected and families.
(Blasts have occurred in several places on the island. I express my condolences to all those affected and families and to condemn this attack with disgust.)
Earlier the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had issued a statement extending support to the people of the country. He also warned to not spread false reports regarding the blasts.
Extending India's support to the bereaved nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted condemning the horrific blasts, stating India's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. He also shared his thoughts and prayers with the victims' families and the injured.
"Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured," wrote the Prime Minister.
He further wrote in Sinhala, his condemnation against terrorism and extended a feeling of empathy felt by India' to fight against terrorism and bring those responsible for the attack to justice'.
(India strongly condemns the brutal terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. India is at the same time with the Sri Lankan government and the people. India should emphasize the need to fight against terrorism and bring those responsible for the attack to justice)
Three churches- St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa and three hotels the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury were targeted, killing 156 people and injuring over 400, as per reports.
The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.
Srilankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe will shortly be addressing the media.
14:07 IST, April 21st 2019