Sri Lanka cardinal calls suicide attacks 'insult to humanity' at memorial service
Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo. Photograph:( Reuters )
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'What happened last Sunday is a great tragedy, an insult to humanity,' the cardinal was quoted as saying.
Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic leader on Sunday condemned the Easter attacks that killed more than 253 people as "an insult to humanity" as the country tearfully marked a week since six suicide bombers hit three churches and three luxury hotels, reported news agency AFP.
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, held a private mass after cancelling all public services amid fears of a repeat of the attacks which left 253 dead.
"What happened last Sunday is a great tragedy, an insult to humanity," the cardinal was quoted as saying by the news agency.
A heavily guarded vigil was held outside St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo at 8.45am, the moment a bomber struck the church last week, killing dozens of worshippers.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for coordinated bombings.
However, the group did not give evidence for its claim.
