21 April 2019.
Blasts at Christian churches and hotels in Sri Lanka have killed 138 inlcuding at least 9 foreigners and left hundreds injured a top health official said.
Explosions went off at churches in Colombo, Negambo and Baticaloa where devotees were celebrating Easter Mass. Explosions were also set off in Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo.
Easter Sunday Church attacks in Colombo , a coordinated terrorist action, targets are Christians & tourists
5 explosions in #SriLanka – PoliceExplosions have been reported at
Kochikade Church
Katuwapitiya Church
Shangri La hotel
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
A church in Batticaloa pic.twitter.com/k9Oeh9vdxo— sunanda deshapriya (@sunandadesh) April 21, 2019
Director General of Health Services Anik Jaasinghe said 139 perssons had died and over 400 were injured.
#SriLanka #churchttacksl reports show high number of casualties , nearing 100, including two foreigners,
Prez @MaithripalaS has called for calm. PM @RW_UNP is chairing a national security meeting.— sunanda deshapriya (@sunandadesh) April 21, 2019
In Nagombo 62 had died and 110 injured have been injined, 27 had died and 67 injured in Batticaloa, 7 dead and 24 injured at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, and 42 dead and 200 injured at the National Hospital in Colombo.
President Maithripala Sirisena called for calm and said authorities were investigating the explosions.
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.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
Economic Affairs Minister Hasha de Silva said Sri Lanka’s security council was meeting in emergency session to take the next steps.
Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force. We, at 1990 also have close to 20 units at the various locations. We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives.
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
There was no information on who were behind the attacks, he said.
The incidents are the worst reported after a 30 year war ended in 2009.
With the inputs from Economy Next.