At least 290 killed and more than 500 injured in a series of blasts, took place yesterday on the eve of Easter.

Bangladesh's PM kin dead in Sri Lanka blasts

<p>Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's kin was reported dead in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/87-bomb-detonators-found-at-colombo-bus-station-police-212566">Sri Lanka blasts</a> on Monday that ripped through the island-nation and killed as many as 290 people. Over 500 were also injured in the blasts.</p>

<p>Hasina's cousin Sheikh Selim’s daughter Sheikh Sonia was on a vacation to Sri Lanka along with her husband Mashiul Haque Chowdhury and two kids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the time of the blast, Sonia’s family was having a meal at the Shangri-La hotel's restaurant.</p>

<p>The blast left Sonia’s husband Mashiul Haque Chowdhury seriously injured and her eight-year-old son Zayan Chowdhury missing. Mashiul Haque was rushed to the hospital by the local authorities.</p>

<p>The Bangladesh Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmood Humayun confirmed to reporters in Dhaka today that the eight-year-old grandson of Sheikh Selim, Zayan Chowdhury died in the blast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Zayan’s dead body will be brought to Bangladesh from Sri Lanka tomorrow," Humayun told reporters in Dhaka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the son-in-law of Sheikh Salim, Mashiul Haque Chowdhury will remain hospitalised in the Sri Lanka Hospital until his condition improves.</p>

<p>As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago.</p>

<p>People from at least eight countries were killed in the series of attacks, including five citizens of Britain, at least seven&nbsp;Indian nationals, three Danes, two each from China and Turkey and one each from Netherlands and Portugal.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="http://13.232.42.114/videos/sri-lanka-blasts-police-defuse-bomb-outside-st-anthony-church-212619/embed" width="560" height="350" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>


Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's kin was reported dead in Sri Lanka blasts on Monday that ripped through the island-nation and killed as many as 290 people.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's kin was reported dead in Sri Lanka blasts on Monday that ripped through the island-nation and killed as many as 290 people. Over 500 were also injured in the blasts. Hasina's cousin Sheikh Selim’s daughter Sheikh Sonia was on a vacation to Sri Lanka along with her husband Mashiul Haque Chowdhury and two kids. At the time of the blast, Sonia’s family was having a meal at the Shangri-La hotel's restaurant. The blast left Sonia’s husband Mashiul Haque Chowdhury seriously injured and her eight-year-old son Zayan Chowdhury missing. Mashiul Haque was rushed to the hospital by the local authorities. The Bangladesh Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmood Humayun confirmed to reporters in Dhaka today that the eight-year-old grandson of Sheikh Selim, Zayan Chowdhury died in the blast. "Zayan’s dead body will be brought to Bangladesh from Sri Lanka tomorrow," Humayun told reporters in Dhaka. However, the son-in-law of Sheikh Salim, Mashiul Haque Chowdhury will remain hospitalised in the Sri Lanka Hospital until his condition improves. As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago. People from at least eight countries were killed in the series of attacks, including five citizens of Britain, at least seven Indian nationals, three Danes, two each from China and Turkey and one each from Netherlands and Portugal.

Sri Lanka: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's 8-year-old grandson killed in Shangri-La hotel blast

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explosion-reported-near-st-anthonys-church-in-colombo-212571">Video: 'Controlled explosion' reported near St Anthony's church in Colombo</a></p>

<p>A 'controlled explosion' occurred in Colombo on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near St Anthony's church in Colombo where the explosion took place. This was the second controlled explosion since morning.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-no-longer-grant-sanctions-exemptions-to-irans-oil-customers-us-212617">Will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers: US</a></p>

<p>The United States announced on Monday it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/87-bomb-detonators-found-at-colombo-bus-station-police-212566">87 bomb detonators found at Colombo bus station: Police</a></p>

<p>Eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing as many as 290 people. Over 500 people were also injured. &nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/regret-chowkidar-chor-hai-remark-against-pm-modi-in-rafale-deal-rahul-gandhi-in-response-to-supreme-court-notice-212506">Regret chowkidar chor hai remark against PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi in response to Supreme Court notice</a></p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he regrets the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal. Gandhi made the submission in a response to a Supreme Court notice on a petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-president-maithripala-sirisena-to-announce-nationwide-emergency-from-midnight-212560">Sri Lanka serial blasts: President Sirisena to announce nationwide emergency from midnight</a></p>

<p>Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be announcing a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following Easter Day blasts. The development comes soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed.&nbsp;</p>

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Video: 'Controlled explosion' reported near St Anthony's church in Colombo A 'controlled explosion' occurred in Colombo on Monday afternoon. WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near St Anthony's church in Colombo where the explosion took place.

Video: 'Controlled explosion' reported near St Anthony's church in Colombo A 'controlled explosion' occurred in Colombo on Monday afternoon. WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near St Anthony's church in Colombo where the explosion took place. This was the second controlled explosion since morning. Will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers: US The United States announced on Monday it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers. 87 bomb detonators found at Colombo bus station: Police Eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing as many as 290 people. Over 500 people were also injured. Regret chowkidar chor hai remark against PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi in response to Supreme Court notice Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he regrets the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal. Gandhi made the submission in a response to a Supreme Court notice on a petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi. Sri Lanka serial blasts: President Sirisena to announce nationwide emergency from midnight Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be announcing a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following Easter Day blasts. The development comes soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed.

News brief: Big stories of the day

At least 290 killed and more than 500 injured in a series of blasts, took place yesterday on the eve of Easter. WION team is covering the whole incident from ground zero. Here are the updates.

Sri Lanka blasts: Police defuse bomb outside St. Anthony church

Sri lanka blasts: Ambulances reach explosion site, massive security deployment in Colombo

<p>A 'controlled explosion'&nbsp;occurred in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-says-local-militant-group-national-thowheed-jamath-behind-easter-sunday-blasts-212556"> Colombo on Monday afternoon</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-president-maithripala-sirisena-to-announce-nationwide-emergency-from-midnight-212560">St Anthony's church in Colombo</a> where the explosion took place. This was the second controlled explosion since morning.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Was present just few meters from this place. Infact, did my 3 pm live from just infront of this place. <a href="https://t.co/V5kvU1I2ik">https://t.co/V5kvU1I2ik</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1120295365587156995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>There were no reports of injuries,&nbsp;WION correspondent reported. The blast occurred close to WION cameras.&nbsp;Security officials immediately cordoned off the area.</p>

<p>Police have confirmed a controlled explosion took place amid heavy security.</p>

<p>Reports had said earlier that eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing at least 290 people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A controlled explosion took place. 2nd since this morning. <a href="https://t.co/6Tvk20Nm9u">https://t.co/6Tvk20Nm9u</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1120283122724159488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Easter&nbsp;Sunday, blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanks sir. Scary moment indeed. <a href="https://t.co/ZqVmyOM4JK">https://t.co/ZqVmyOM4JK</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1120295993646419969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in eastern province.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.232.42.114/videos/nearly-300-killed-in-sri-lanka-bombings-candlelight-vigil-in-paris-for-victims-212535/embed" width="560"></iframe></div>


A 'controlled explosion' occurred in Colombo on Monday afternoon. WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near St Anthony's church in Colombo where the explosion took place.

A 'controlled explosion' occurred in Colombo on Monday afternoon. WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal was reporting from near St Anthony's church in Colombo where the explosion took place. This was the second controlled explosion since morning. Was present just few meters from this place. Infact, did my 3 pm live from just infront of this place. https://t.co/V5kvU1I2ik — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 22, 2019 × There were no reports of injuries, WION correspondent reported. The blast occurred close to WION cameras. Security officials immediately cordoned off the area. Police have confirmed a controlled explosion took place amid heavy security. Reports had said earlier that eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing at least 290 people. A controlled explosion took place. 2nd since this morning. https://t.co/6Tvk20Nm9u — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 22, 2019 × On Easter Sunday, blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels. Thanks sir. Scary moment indeed. https://t.co/ZqVmyOM4JK — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 22, 2019 × The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city. St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in eastern province. Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported. The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo.

Video: 'Controlled explosion' reported near St Anthony's church in Colombo

On Monday, police said the death toll had surged overnight to 290, with the number expected to rise further. About 500 people were injured, according to reports.

Sri lanka blasts: Colombo attacks among world's worst since 9/11

<p>Eighty-seven detonators were found at <a href="In statement police found the detonators at the Bastian Mawatha Private bus stand, 12 of them scattered on the ground and another 75 in a garbage dump nearby, AFP reported.">Sri Lanka</a>'s Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing as many as 290&nbsp;people. Over 500 people were also injured. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement police found the detonators at the Bastian Mawatha Private bus stand, 12 of them scattered on the ground and another 75 in a garbage dump nearby, AFP reported.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-13-under-arrest-ninth-bomb-defused-near-colombo-airport-212476"> twenty-four people were arrested</a> by Sri Lanka police in connection with eight devastating bomb blasts on churches and hotels.</p>

<p>Sri Lankan airforce also successfully defused an improvised pipe bomb discovered close to Colombo's main airport.</p>

<p>People from at least eight countries were killed in the series of attacks, including five citizens of Britain, five Indian nationals, three Danes, two each from China and Turkey and one each from Netherlands and Portugal.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sririsena announced a nation-wide emergency which will come into effect from midnight today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The development came soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, a memo that warned of a potential attack was circulated a day before the deadly explosions in Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>The memo dated April 11 was signed by Sri Lanka's deputy inspector general of police.</p>

<p>As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago.</p>

<p>Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22 million, 70 per cent are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and 7.6 per cent Christian, according to the country's 2012 census.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from news agencies)</em></p>


Eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing as many as 290 people.

Eighty-seven detonators were found at Sri Lanka's Colombo bus station on Monday, a day after the series of blasts ripped through the island-nation killing as many as 290 people. Over 500 people were also injured. In a statement police found the detonators at the Bastian Mawatha Private bus stand, 12 of them scattered on the ground and another 75 in a garbage dump nearby, AFP reported. Earlier in the day, twenty-four people were arrested by Sri Lanka police in connection with eight devastating bomb blasts on churches and hotels. Sri Lankan airforce also successfully defused an improvised pipe bomb discovered close to Colombo's main airport. People from at least eight countries were killed in the series of attacks, including five citizens of Britain, five Indian nationals, three Danes, two each from China and Turkey and one each from Netherlands and Portugal. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sririsena announced a nation-wide emergency which will come into effect from midnight today. × The development came soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed. According to reports, a memo that warned of a potential attack was circulated a day before the deadly explosions in Sri Lanka. The memo dated April 11 was signed by Sri Lanka's deputy inspector general of police. As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago. Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22 million, 70 per cent are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and 7.6 per cent Christian, according to the country's 2012 census. (With inputs from news agencies)

87 bomb detonators found at Colombo bus station: Police

<p>Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be announcing a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following Easter Day blasts. The development comes soon after the Sri Lankan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-authorities-lift-curfew-after-death-toll-spikes-to-290-212490">authorities lifted a curfew in the country</a> on Monday and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lanka-government-orders-new-curfew-after-attacks-212543">another night-time curfew was imposed</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the government has lent credence to a controversial letter saying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-says-local-militant-group-national-thowheed-jamath-behind-easter-sunday-blasts-212556">local outfit National Thowheed Jamath</a> (NTJ) is believed to be responsible for the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in the country.</p>

<p>The bomb attacks were carried out with the help of an international network, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Monday.</p>

<p>"We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country," Senaratne said. "There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded."</p>

<p>A senior investigator said that seven suicide bombers took part in the devastating attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 290 people and wounded more than 500.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday acknowledged that the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-blasts-pm-says-priority-is-to-ensure-terrorism-doesnt-lift-its-head-in-country-212406">information was there</a>" about possible attacks, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Wickremesinghe added that the government's first priority would be to "apprehend the terrorists and ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka."</p>

<p>"While this goes, on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," he said.</p>

<p>The Sri Lankan police on Monday arrested 24 people in connection with the serial blasts. An improvised pipe bomb was discovered close to Colombo's main airport and was successfully <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-13-under-arrest-ninth-bomb-defused-near-colombo-airport-212476">defused by the Sri Lanka airforce</a>, the police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be announcing a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following Easter Day blasts. The development comes soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be announcing a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday following Easter Day blasts. The development comes soon after the Sri Lankan authorities lifted a curfew in the country on Monday and another night-time curfew was imposed. Meanwhile, the government has lent credence to a controversial letter saying local outfit National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) is believed to be responsible for the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in the country. The bomb attacks were carried out with the help of an international network, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Monday. "We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country," Senaratne said. "There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded." A senior investigator said that seven suicide bombers took part in the devastating attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 290 people and wounded more than 500. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday acknowledged that the "information was there" about possible attacks, news agency AFP reported. Wickremesinghe added that the government's first priority would be to "apprehend the terrorists and ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka." "While this goes, on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," he said. The Sri Lankan police on Monday arrested 24 people in connection with the serial blasts. An improvised pipe bomb was discovered close to Colombo's main airport and was successfully defused by the Sri Lanka airforce, the police said. As many as 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. The attacks are been billed as the worst-ever in the history of the island nation after the civil war that ended almost a decade ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka serial blasts: President Sirisena to announce nationwide emergency from midnight

<p>The Sri Lankan government has lent credence to a controversial letter saying local outfit National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) is believed to be responsible for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-memo-circulated-a-day-before-had-warned-of-attack-212458">Easter Sunday bomb attacks</a> in the country.</p>

<p>The bomb attacks were carried out with the help of an international network, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Monday.</p>

<p>"We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country," Senaratne said. "There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a senior investigator said that seven suicide bombers took part in the devastating attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 290 people and wounded more than 500.</p>

<p>Two of the suicide bombers blew themselves up at the luxury Shangri-La Hotel on Colombo's seafront, said Ariyananda Welianga, a senior official at the government's forensic division. The others targeted three churches and two other hotels.</p>

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<p>A fourth hotel and a house in a suburb of the capital Colombo were also targeted, but it was not immediately known how the attacks were carried out.</p>

<p>"Still the investigations are going on," Welianga said.</p>

<p>"Guests who had come for breakfast were lying on the floor, blood all over," an employee at Kingsbury Hotel, one of those targeted, told news agency Reuters.</p>

<p>"We just picked up everyone, dead or alive and evacuated them."</p>

<p>Four of the bombs went off at roughly the same time, at 8.45 am, with two others coming within 20 minutes. The explosions at the fourth hotel and the house were in the afternoon.</p>

<p>Sri Lankans accounted for the bulk of the dead and wounded although government officials said 32 foreigners were killed, including British, US, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals.</p>

<p>President Maithripala Sirisena, who was abroad when the attacks happened, had called a meeting of the National Security Council on Monday, a government source said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would attend the meeting, the source said.</p>

<p>The US State Department said in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-revises-travel-advisory-for-sri-lanka-warns-terrorists-continue-plotting-attacks-212496">travel advisory</a> "terrorist groups" were continuing to plot possible attacks in Sri Lanka and targets could included tourist spots, transport hubs, shopping malls, hotels, places of worship, airports and other public areas.</p>

<p>The government <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lanka-government-orders-new-curfew-after-attacks-212543">announced a curfew</a> in Colombo from 8pm until 4am. A Sunday night curfew <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-authorities-lift-curfew-after-death-toll-spikes-to-290-212490">was lifted in the morning</a>.</p>

<p>The Sri Lankan military, who were clearing the route from Colombo airport late on Sunday in preparation for Sirisena's return, found a crude bomb near the departure gate, an air force spokesman said.</p>

<p>They destroyed the device in a controlled explosion.</p>

<p>There were fears the attacks could spark a renewal of communal violence, with police also reporting late on Sunday there had been a petrol bomb attack on a mosque in the northwest and arson attacks on two shops owned by Muslims in the west.</p>

<p>Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka was at war for decades with ethnic minority Tamil separatists but violence had largely ended since the government victory in the civil war, 10 years ago.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's 22 million people include Christian, Muslim and Hindu minority populations.</p>

<p>The explosion at the house in the Colombo suburb occurred when security forces raided a house there on Sunday afternoon, several hours after the attack. Police reported an explosion at the house and said three officers were killed.</p>

<p>Police said on Monday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-13-under-arrest-ninth-bomb-defused-near-colombo-airport-212476">24 people had been arrested</a>, all of whom were Sri Lankan.</p>

<p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA BLOCKED</strong></p>

<p>Traffic was uncharacteristically thin in normally bustling Colombo after the island-wide curfew was lifted.</p>

<p>Soldiers with automatic weapons stood guard outside major hotels and the World Trade Centre in the business district, where the four hotels were targeted, a Reuters witness said.</p>

<p>Scores of people who were stranded overnight at the main airport began making their way home as restrictions were lifted.</p>

<p>The government also blocked access to social media and messaging sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp, making information hard to gather.</p>

<p>A British mother and son eating breakfast at the luxury Shangri-La hotel were among those killed, British media reported.</p>

<p>An Australian survivor, identified only as Sam, told Australia's 3AW radio the hotel was a scene of "absolute carnage".</p>

<p>He said he and a travel partner were also having breakfast at the Shangri-La when two blasts went off. He said he had seen two men wearing backpacks seconds before the blasts.</p>

<p>"There were people screaming and dead bodies all around," he said. "Kids crying, kids on the ground, I don't know if they were dead or not, just crazy."</p>

<p>There were similar scenes of carnage at two churches in or near Colombo, and a third church in the northeast town of Batticaloa, where worshippers had gathered for Easter Sunday services. Pictures from the scene showed bodies on the ground and blood-spattered pews and statues.</p>

<p>Dozens were killed in one of the blasts at the Gothic-style St. Sebastian church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo. Police said they suspected that blast was a suicide attack.</p>

<p><strong>DOMESTIC FEUD</strong></p>

<p>Wickremesinghe acknowledged on Sunday that the government had some prior information about possible attacks on churches involving a little-known Islamist group but said ministers had not been told.</p>

<p>The apparent lapse could feed into a feud between the prime minister and the president.</p>

<p>Sirisena fired the premier last year and installed opposition strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his stead. Weeks later, he was forced to re-instate Wickremesinghe because of pressure from the Supreme Court but their relationship is still fraught as a presidential election nears.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-leaders-condemn-bombings-in-sri-lanka-212499/embed" width="560"></iframe></div>


The Sri Lankan government has lent credence to a controversial letter saying local outfit National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) is believed to be responsible for the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in the country.

The Sri Lankan government has lent credence to a controversial letter saying local outfit National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) is believed to be responsible for the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in the country. The bomb attacks were carried out with the help of an international network, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Monday. "We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country," Senaratne said. "There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded." Meanwhile, a senior investigator said that seven suicide bombers took part in the devastating attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 290 people and wounded more than 500. Two of the suicide bombers blew themselves up at the luxury Shangri-La Hotel on Colombo's seafront, said Ariyananda Welianga, a senior official at the government's forensic division. The others targeted three churches and two other hotels. A fourth hotel and a house in a suburb of the capital Colombo were also targeted, but it was not immediately known how the attacks were carried out. "Still the investigations are going on," Welianga said. "Guests who had come for breakfast were lying on the floor, blood all over," an employee at Kingsbury Hotel, one of those targeted, told news agency Reuters. "We just picked up everyone, dead or alive and evacuated them." Four of the bombs went off at roughly the same time, at 8.45 am, with two others coming within 20 minutes. The explosions at the fourth hotel and the house were in the afternoon. Sri Lankans accounted for the bulk of the dead and wounded although government officials said 32 foreigners were killed, including British, US, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals. President Maithripala Sirisena, who was abroad when the attacks happened, had called a meeting of the National Security Council on Monday, a government source said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would attend the meeting, the source said. The US State Department said in a travel advisory "terrorist groups" were continuing to plot possible attacks in Sri Lanka and targets could included tourist spots, transport hubs, shopping malls, hotels, places of worship, airports and other public areas. The government announced a curfew in Colombo from 8pm until 4am. A Sunday night curfew was lifted in the morning. The Sri Lankan military, who were clearing the route from Colombo airport late on Sunday in preparation for Sirisena's return, found a crude bomb near the departure gate, an air force spokesman said. They destroyed the device in a controlled explosion. There were fears the attacks could spark a renewal of communal violence, with police also reporting late on Sunday there had been a petrol bomb attack on a mosque in the northwest and arson attacks on two shops owned by Muslims in the west. Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka was at war for decades with ethnic minority Tamil separatists but violence had largely ended since the government victory in the civil war, 10 years ago. Sri Lanka's 22 million people include Christian, Muslim and Hindu minority populations. The explosion at the house in the Colombo suburb occurred when security forces raided a house there on Sunday afternoon, several hours after the attack. Police reported an explosion at the house and said three officers were killed. Police said on Monday 24 people had been arrested, all of whom were Sri Lankan. SOCIAL MEDIA BLOCKED Traffic was uncharacteristically thin in normally bustling Colombo after the island-wide curfew was lifted. Soldiers with automatic weapons stood guard outside major hotels and the World Trade Centre in the business district, where the four hotels were targeted, a Reuters witness said. Scores of people who were stranded overnight at the main airport began making their way home as restrictions were lifted. The government also blocked access to social media and messaging sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp, making information hard to gather. A British mother and son eating breakfast at the luxury Shangri-La hotel were among those killed, British media reported. An Australian survivor, identified only as Sam, told Australia's 3AW radio the hotel was a scene of "absolute carnage". He said he and a travel partner were also having breakfast at the Shangri-La when two blasts went off. He said he had seen two men wearing backpacks seconds before the blasts. "There were people screaming and dead bodies all around," he said. "Kids crying, kids on the ground, I don't know if they were dead or not, just crazy." There were similar scenes of carnage at two churches in or near Colombo, and a third church in the northeast town of Batticaloa, where worshippers had gathered for Easter Sunday services. Pictures from the scene showed bodies on the ground and blood-spattered pews and statues. Dozens were killed in one of the blasts at the Gothic-style St. Sebastian church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo. Police said they suspected that blast was a suicide attack. DOMESTIC FEUD Wickremesinghe acknowledged on Sunday that the government had some prior information about possible attacks on churches involving a little-known Islamist group but said ministers had not been told. The apparent lapse could feed into a feud between the prime minister and the president. Sirisena fired the premier last year and installed opposition strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his stead. Weeks later, he was forced to re-instate Wickremesinghe because of pressure from the Supreme Court but their relationship is still fraught as a presidential election nears.

Sri Lanka says local militant group National Thowheed Jamath behind Easter Sunday blasts

Watch: Lawrence Sellin is a retired U.S. Army and has spoken to WION on Sri Lanka bombings. Watch the full video to know more.

Lawrence Sellin, Retired U.S. Army colonel speaks to WION on Sri Lanka blasts

<p>Eight people have been arrested in connection with a string of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-multiple-blasts-seven-arrested-death-toll-passes-200-212339">deadly blasts that killed more than 200 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday</a>, country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.</p>

<p>"So far the names that have come up are local," but investigators would look into whether the attackers had any "overseas links," Wickremesinghe added.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister acknowledged that the "information was there" about possible attacks, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"While this goes, on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," he said.</p>

<p>Wickremesinghe added that the government's first priority would be to "apprehend the terrorists and ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka."</p>

<p>Seven people were arrested earlier in the day and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.</p>

<p><strong>Over 200 killed, 450 wounded</strong></p>

<p>The death toll from the multiple bombings at Sri Lankan churches and hotels rose past 200, police and local media said. As many as 450 people have been wounded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now, we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals," Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters in Colombo.</p>

<p><strong>Multiple blasts</strong></p>

<p>Easter Day bomb blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels earlier today.</p>

<p>The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for an emergency parliamentary session.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Nation-wide curfew</strong></p>

<p>The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew on Sunday that the police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice".</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's defence ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban.</p>

<p>"The government has decided to block all social media platforms in order to prevent incorrect and wrong information being spread. This is only a temporary measure" Udaya R Seneviratne, secretary to the president said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/3-indians-killed-in-sri-lanka-serial-blasts-ministry-of-external-affairs-212383"><strong>Three Indians killed</strong></a></p>

<p>Three Indians have lost their lives in the serial blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 people on Sunday. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said, "The Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals."</p>

<p><strong>Several Americans lost lives</strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that several Americans were among the more than 200 people killed Sunday in Sri Lanka, news agency AFP reported.</p>

<p>"While many details of the attacks are still emerging, we can confirm that several US citizens were among those killed," he said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The US Embassy is working tirelessly to provide all possible assistance to the American citizens affected by the attacks and their families."</p>

<p>The attacks, which police said left more than 450 people wounded in addition to at least 207 dead, constituted the worst act of violence since the end of Sri Lanka's civil war a decade ago.</p>

<p>Also among the fatalities were three people from Denmark, two from Turkey, and one from Portugal, officials said. There were also Chinese and Dutch among the dead, according to media reports.</p>

<p><strong>Attack on Christians</strong></p>

<p>Last year, there were 86 verified incidents of discrimination, threats and violence against Christians, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), which represents more than 200 churches and other Christian organisations, news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>This year, the NCEASL recorded 26 such incidents, including one in which Buddhist monks allegedly attempted to disrupt a Sunday worship service, with the last one reported on March 25.</p>

<p>Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22 million, 70 per cent are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and 7.6 per cent Christian, according to the country's 2012 census.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Eight people have been arrested in connection with a string of deadly blasts that killed more than 200 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday, country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with a string of deadly blasts that killed more than 200 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday, country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. "So far the names that have come up are local," but investigators would look into whether the attackers had any "overseas links," Wickremesinghe added. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the "information was there" about possible attacks, news agency AFP reported. "While this goes, on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," he said. Wickremesinghe added that the government's first priority would be to "apprehend the terrorists and ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka." Seven people were arrested earlier in the day and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday. Over 200 killed, 450 wounded The death toll from the multiple bombings at Sri Lankan churches and hotels rose past 200, police and local media said. As many as 450 people have been wounded. "Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now, we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals," Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters in Colombo. Multiple blasts Easter Day bomb blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels earlier today. The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported. St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province. Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported. The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for an emergency parliamentary session. Nation-wide curfew The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew on Sunday that the police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice". Sri Lanka's defence ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away. Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban. "The government has decided to block all social media platforms in order to prevent incorrect and wrong information being spread. This is only a temporary measure" Udaya R Seneviratne, secretary to the president said in a statement. Three Indians killed Three Indians have lost their lives in the serial blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 people on Sunday. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said, "The Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals." Several Americans lost lives Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that several Americans were among the more than 200 people killed Sunday in Sri Lanka, news agency AFP reported. "While many details of the attacks are still emerging, we can confirm that several US citizens were among those killed," he said in a statement. "The US Embassy is working tirelessly to provide all possible assistance to the American citizens affected by the attacks and their families." The attacks, which police said left more than 450 people wounded in addition to at least 207 dead, constituted the worst act of violence since the end of Sri Lanka's civil war a decade ago. Also among the fatalities were three people from Denmark, two from Turkey, and one from Portugal, officials said. There were also Chinese and Dutch among the dead, according to media reports. Attack on Christians Last year, there were 86 verified incidents of discrimination, threats and violence against Christians, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), which represents more than 200 churches and other Christian organisations, news agency Reuters reported. This year, the NCEASL recorded 26 such incidents, including one in which Buddhist monks allegedly attempted to disrupt a Sunday worship service, with the last one reported on March 25. Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22 million, 70 per cent are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and 7.6 per cent Christian, according to the country's 2012 census. (With inputs from agencies)

Information was there, must find why adequate precautions weren't taken: PM Wickremesinghe on Sri Lanka blasts

<p>South Asia countries were among the first to react and stand with Sri Lanka in its hour of grief on Sunday after it was hit by series of blasts. The attack killed over 200 people&nbsp;and 450 were injured.</p>

<p>Hours after the serial bombs that ripped through Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/these-blasts-are-grim-reminder-of-most-serious-challenge-to-humanity-pm-modi-to-sri-lankan-president-pm-212293">Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena</a> and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on call and condemned the attacks. He also conveyed "deepest condolences" on behalf of the Indians.</p>

<p>Terming the attacks "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts" PM Modi pointed out that these attacks were another&nbsp;"grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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.</p>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1119863044216172544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>India has also offered all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges posed by terrorism.</p>

<p>The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement extended condolences to the families of the victims and Government of Sri Lanka, said, "India has always opposed and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations" and has urged "concerted action by the international community against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. "</p>

<p>"There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terror," the foreign ministry added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured.<br />
<br />
We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka.<a href="https://t.co/Si1ilrSU8j">https://t.co/Si1ilrSU8j</a> <a href="https://t.co/pdSjh8OyVO">pic.twitter.com/pdSjh8OyVO</a></p>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1119891690595053570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maldivian&nbsp;President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended "heartfelt sympathies to all affected by this cowardly act" and assured "support in the fight against terrorism."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened by the horrific events in Sri Lanka this morning. My heartfelt sympathies to all affected by this cowardly act of terror. At this difficult time, I affirm our solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka and assure our support in the fight against terrorism.</p>
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) <a href="https://twitter.com/ibusolih/status/1119852312212541441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid also condemned the "heinous terroristic attack."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocked and saddened by reports of multiple explosions in Colombo and elsewhere in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a>. Condemn unreservedly this heinous terroristic attack claiming numerous lives and injuring many. Our deepest condolences &amp; prayers are with Govt &amp; people of Sri Lanka &amp; affected families.</p>
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1119834856681172992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Maldives' minister of state Ahmed Khaleel will visit Sri Lanka on Monday as a special envoy of the president to inquire on the condition of Maldivians who may have been affected by the explosions. He will also convey solidarity to the Sri Lankan government at this time of national distress.</p>

<p>Expressing sadness, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in a tweet said," I express my condolence with Rt. Hon'ble Ranil Wickramasinghe, PM of Sri Lanka and bereaved families of victims of brutality. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am deeply saddened by multiple bomb blasts and killings of innocent people in Sri Lanka. I express my condolence with Rt. Hon'ble Ranil Wickramasinghe, PM of SriLanka and bereaved families of victims of brutality. I wish speedy recovery of the injured.</p>
— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PM_Nepal/status/1119887430264348673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed condolences to Sri Lanka and said his country "stands in complete solidarity in their hour of grief."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost &amp; hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief.</p>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1119872631308718081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi telephoned Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to express condolences and conveyed sympathies for the families that lost their loved ones in the tragedy.</p>

<p>Afghan foreign minister's spokesperson Sibghatullah Ahmadi also condemned the attack in "strongest terms".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1/2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan condemns in strongest terms, the terrorist attacks on churches, hotels and worshippers in Sri Lanka. <a href="https://t.co/OYHcO3f8GW">pic.twitter.com/OYHcO3f8GW</a></p>
— Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sibghat_Ah/status/1119903560672608256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bhutan and Bangladesh also condemned the attack and expressed their solidarity with Sri Lanka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bangladesh's&nbsp;PM Sheikh Hasina wished quick recovery of those who were injured in the attacks.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely saddened on the reports of multiple bomb blast in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankaterrorattack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankaterrorattack</a> My condolences to the families of the victims... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bhutan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bhutan</a> condemn this act of terrorism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayforSriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayforSriLanka</a></p>
— ForeignMinisterBhutan (@FMBhutan) <a href="https://twitter.com/FMBhutan/status/1119929832886943745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


South Asia countries were among the first to react and stand with Sri Lanka in its hour of grief on Sunday after it was hit by series of blasts. The attack killed over 200 people and 450 were injured.

South Asia countries were among the first to react and stand with Sri Lanka in its hour of grief on Sunday after it was hit by series of blasts. The attack killed over 200 people and 450 were injured. Hours after the serial bombs that ripped through Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on call and condemned the attacks. He also conveyed "deepest condolences" on behalf of the Indians. Terming the attacks "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts" PM Modi pointed out that these attacks were another "grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism." 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. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019 × India has also offered all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges posed by terrorism. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement extended condolences to the families of the victims and Government of Sri Lanka, said, "India has always opposed and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations" and has urged "concerted action by the international community against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. " "There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terror," the foreign ministry added. We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka.https://t.co/Si1ilrSU8j pic.twitter.com/pdSjh8OyVO — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 21, 2019 × Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended "heartfelt sympathies to all affected by this cowardly act" and assured "support in the fight against terrorism." Saddened by the horrific events in Sri Lanka this morning. My heartfelt sympathies to all affected by this cowardly act of terror. At this difficult time, I affirm our solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka and assure our support in the fight against terrorism. — Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) April 21, 2019 × Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid also condemned the "heinous terroristic attack." Shocked and saddened by reports of multiple explosions in Colombo and elsewhere in #SriLanka. Condemn unreservedly this heinous terroristic attack claiming numerous lives and injuring many. Our deepest condolences & prayers are with Govt & people of Sri Lanka & affected families. — Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) April 21, 2019 × Meanwhile, Maldives' minister of state Ahmed Khaleel will visit Sri Lanka on Monday as a special envoy of the president to inquire on the condition of Maldivians who may have been affected by the explosions. He will also convey solidarity to the Sri Lankan government at this time of national distress. Expressing sadness, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in a tweet said," I express my condolence with Rt. Hon'ble Ranil Wickramasinghe, PM of Sri Lanka and bereaved families of victims of brutality. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured." I am deeply saddened by multiple bomb blasts and killings of innocent people in Sri Lanka. I express my condolence with Rt. Hon'ble Ranil Wickramasinghe, PM of SriLanka and bereaved families of victims of brutality. I wish speedy recovery of the injured. — KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) April 21, 2019 × Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed condolences to Sri Lanka and said his country "stands in complete solidarity in their hour of grief." Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 21, 2019 × Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi telephoned Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to express condolences and conveyed sympathies for the families that lost their loved ones in the tragedy. Afghan foreign minister's spokesperson Sibghatullah Ahmadi also condemned the attack in "strongest terms". 1/2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan condemns in strongest terms, the terrorist attacks on churches, hotels and worshippers in Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/OYHcO3f8GW — Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) April 21, 2019 × Bhutan and Bangladesh also condemned the attack and expressed their solidarity with Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's PM Sheikh Hasina wished quick recovery of those who were injured in the attacks. Extremely saddened on the reports of multiple bomb blast in #srilankaterrorattack My condolences to the families of the victims... #Bhutan condemn this act of terrorism #PrayforSriLanka — ForeignMinisterBhutan (@FMBhutan) April 21, 2019 ×

South Asia unites in Sri Lanka's hour of grief

<p>Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Sunday while condemning the Sri Lankan terror attacks, said that the state government has beefed up the security around all the churches here on Easter Day.</p>

<p>While speaking to ANI he said,&nbsp;"I have discussed the security situation with the state Director General of Police Pranab Nanda and have instructed him to beef up security around Goa's churches."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goa CM Pramod Sawant: I condemn the Sri Lanka blasts. I have spoken to the police officials, we will provide maximum security to churches in Goa. <a href="https://t.co/8MIjj64WnS">pic.twitter.com/8MIjj64WnS</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1119993474445533186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goa Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh: All police chiefs have been asked to stay alert. Also, alertness to be increased near big churches in Goa. Extensive patrolling to be done by forces who are deployed here for elections. <a href="https://t.co/zYpUeLvywZ">pic.twitter.com/zYpUeLvywZ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1119993477343748096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The chief minister insisted that since Goa is full of churches, the security built-up is needed on the occasion of Easter Sunday.</p>

<p>Further speaking on the issue of safety Sawant said,&nbsp;"I will also be talking to the Archbishop of Goa and seek his help to ensure the security of the churches and people."</p>

<p>This comes in the wake of the gruesome bomb blast attack in Sri Lanka that hit a string of high-end hotels and churches, as the Christian community marked the occasion of Easter Sunday. 207 people have lost their lives until now, while around 450 people have been injured.&nbsp;</p>


Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Sunday while condemning the Sri Lankan terror attacks, said that the state government has beefed up the security around all the churches here on Easter Day.

Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Sunday while condemning the Sri Lankan terror attacks, said that the state government has beefed up the security around all the churches here on Easter Day. While speaking to ANI he said, "I have discussed the security situation with the state Director General of Police Pranab Nanda and have instructed him to beef up security around Goa's churches." Goa CM Pramod Sawant: I condemn the Sri Lanka blasts. I have spoken to the police officials, we will provide maximum security to churches in Goa. pic.twitter.com/8MIjj64WnS — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2019 × Goa Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh: All police chiefs have been asked to stay alert. Also, alertness to be increased near big churches in Goa. Extensive patrolling to be done by forces who are deployed here for elections. pic.twitter.com/zYpUeLvywZ — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2019 × The chief minister insisted that since Goa is full of churches, the security built-up is needed on the occasion of Easter Sunday. Further speaking on the issue of safety Sawant said, "I will also be talking to the Archbishop of Goa and seek his help to ensure the security of the churches and people." This comes in the wake of the gruesome bomb blast attack in Sri Lanka that hit a string of high-end hotels and churches, as the Christian community marked the occasion of Easter Sunday. 207 people have lost their lives until now, while around 450 people have been injured.

After serial blasts in Sri Lanka, security beefed up around Goa churches

Easter Sunday (April 21) bomb blasts at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka killed more than 200 people and wounded at least 450, police officials said, the first major attack on the Indian Ocean island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.

Sri Lanka bombings death toll passes 200, seven arrested

<p>Three Indians have lost their lives in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-multiple-blasts-seven-arrested-death-toll-passes-200-212339">serial blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 people on Sunday</a>. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said, "The Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3</p>
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1119970416850685952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj, earlier in the day, spoke to Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who informed that 207 people have died in the blasts that also injured around 450 people.</p>

<p>As many as eight blasts occurred across churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/these-blasts-are-grim-reminder-of-most-serious-challenge-to-humanity-pm-modi-to-sri-lankan-president-pm-212293">PM Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena</a> and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and conveyed his condolences.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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.</p>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1119863044216172544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>India has also offered all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges such as terrorism.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind in a tweet said, "Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in a civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a></p>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1119866576885436416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The serial blasts have shattered the stability and peace that Colombo had achieved after the defeat of terror group LTTE in 2009.</p>


Three Indians have lost their lives in the serial blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 people on Sunday. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said, "The Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals.

Three Indians have lost their lives in the serial blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 people on Sunday. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said, "The Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals." Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3 — Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019 × Swaraj, earlier in the day, spoke to Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who informed that 207 people have died in the blasts that also injured around 450 people. As many as eight blasts occurred across churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, PM Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and conveyed his condolences. 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. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019 × India has also offered all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges such as terrorism. President Ram Nath Kovind in a tweet said, "Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in a civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka". India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 21, 2019 × The serial blasts have shattered the stability and peace that Colombo had achieved after the defeat of terror group LTTE in 2009.

3 Indians killed in Sri Lanka serial blasts: Ministry of External Affairs 

<p>Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">Sri Lanka attacks, which killed over 200</a>&nbsp;people, as "such cruel violence."</p>

<p>''I learned with sadness the news of the attacks which today, Easter Sunday, brought mourning and pain," Francis said in his traditional Easter address at the Vatican.</p>

<p>"I want to express my affectionate closeness with the Christian community, attacked while it was at prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence," Pope further said.</p>

<p>"I entrust to the Lord those who have tragically died and I pray for the wounded and for all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event," Pope added.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka on Sunday was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches.</p>

<p>Several other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lanka-pm-president-condemn-coordinated-bomb-attacks-urge-countrymen-to-unite-212256">political leaders have strongly condemned</a> the series of coordinated bomb attacks in the island nation.</p>


Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the Sri Lanka attacks, which killed over 200 people, as "such cruel violence." ''I learned with sadness the news of the attacks which today, Easter Sunday, brought mourning and pain," Francis said in his traditional Easter address at the Vatican.

Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the Sri Lanka attacks, which killed over 200 people, as "such cruel violence." ''I learned with sadness the news of the attacks which today, Easter Sunday, brought mourning and pain," Francis said in his traditional Easter address at the Vatican. "I want to express my affectionate closeness with the Christian community, attacked while it was at prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence," Pope further said. "I entrust to the Lord those who have tragically died and I pray for the wounded and for all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event," Pope added. Sri Lanka on Sunday was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches. Several other political leaders have strongly condemned the series of coordinated bomb attacks in the island nation.

'Such cruel violence,' says Pope Francis condemning Sri Lanka attacks

<p>One woman from Kerala, who was on a vacation in Sri Lanka, was among the people killed in the neighbouring island nation in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">series of blasts </a>on Sunday.</p>

<p>According to a report, Razeena was holidaying in Sri Lanka along with her husband. Both hail&nbsp;from Kasaragod in Kerala and were staying at one of the three hotels in Colombo.</p>

<p>Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences over the death of 58-year-old Razeena.</p>

<p>A series of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, over 200 people have been reported dead so far, including 35 foreigners including one Chinese national.</p>

<p>More than 450 people have suffered injuries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported.</p>

<p>Following the blasts, Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice", after a string of deadly blasts.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from news agencies)</em></p>


One woman from Kerala, who was on a vacation in Sri Lanka, was among the people killed in the neighbouring island nation in a series of blasts on Sunday. According to a report, Razeena was holidaying in Sri Lanka along with her husband.

One woman from Kerala, who was on a vacation in Sri Lanka, was among the people killed in the neighbouring island nation in a series of blasts on Sunday. According to a report, Razeena was holidaying in Sri Lanka along with her husband. Both hail from Kasaragod in Kerala and were staying at one of the three hotels in Colombo. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences over the death of 58-year-old Razeena. A series of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, over 200 people have been reported dead so far, including 35 foreigners including one Chinese national. More than 450 people have suffered injuries. The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported. St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province. Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported. Following the blasts, Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice", after a string of deadly blasts. (With inputs from news agencies)

Woman from Kerala's Kasaragod killed in Sri Lanka blasts

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-multiple-blasts-seven-arrested-death-toll-passes-200-212339">Sri Lanka multiple blasts: Seven arrested, death toll passes 200</a><br />
<br />
Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trumps-solidarity-message-on-sri-lanka-blasts-goes-wrong-tweets-out-heartfelt-condolences-on-death-of-138-million-people-212299">Trump accidentally tweets condolences on death of '138 million people' in Sri Lanka</a><br />
<br />
US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka after a series of deadly explosions at churches and hotels in the island nation killed more than 160 people.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-contest-from-varanasi-if-rahul-gandhi-asks-me-says-priyanka-gandhi-212313">Will contest from Varanasi if Rahul Gandhi asks me, says Priyanka Gandhi</a></p>

<p>Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said that she will contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the party president Rahul Gandhi asks her to do so.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/these-blasts-are-grim-reminder-of-most-serious-challenge-to-humanity-pm-modi-to-sri-lankan-president-pm-212293">Sri Lanka blasts grim reminder of serious challenge to humanity: PM Modi</a><br />
<br />
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on series of blasts that hit the neighbour island today.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-supreme-court-extends-president-ashraf-ghanis-term-until-delayed-elections-212297">Afghan supreme court extends President Ashraf Ghani's term until delayed elections</a><br />
<br />
Afghanistan's supreme court on Sunday said it had extended the term of President Ashraf Ghani until delayed elections take place - resolving, for now, the question of what would happen after his term expires on May 22.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sri Lanka multiple blasts: Seven arrested, death toll passes 200 Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.

Sri Lanka multiple blasts: Seven arrested, death toll passes 200 Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday. Trump accidentally tweets condolences on death of '138 million people' in Sri Lanka US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka after a series of deadly explosions at churches and hotels in the island nation killed more than 160 people. Will contest from Varanasi if Rahul Gandhi asks me, says Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said that she will contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the party president Rahul Gandhi asks her to do so. Sri Lanka blasts grim reminder of serious challenge to humanity: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on series of blasts that hit the neighbour island today. Afghan supreme court extends President Ashraf Ghani's term until delayed elections Afghanistan's supreme court on Sunday said it had extended the term of President Ashraf Ghani until delayed elections take place - resolving, for now, the question of what would happen after his term expires on May 22.

<p>Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday. Meanwhile, the death toll from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">multiple bombings at Sri Lankan churches and hotels</a> rose past 200, police and local media said. As many as 450 people have been wounded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now, we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals," Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters in Colombo.</p>

<p>Further details of the raid on the house in the Sri Lankan capital were not immediately available, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday afternoon was rocked by another blast. The eighth explosion, in a series of blasts that had rattled the country on Sunday, occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city. Three people were reported dead in the latest blast. Police said there were no further details on what was targeted, adding that the blast was a suicide bombing, news agency AFP reported.</p>

<p><strong>The blasts</strong></p>

<p>Easter Day bomb blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels earlier today. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for an emergency parliamentary session.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Nation-wide curfew, social media blocked</strong></p>

<p>The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew on Sunday that the police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice".</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's defence ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban.</p>

<p>"The government has decided to block all social media platforms in order to prevent incorrect and wrong information being spread. This is only a temporary measure" Udaya R Seneviratne, secretary to the president said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>No place for such barbarism</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/these-blasts-are-grim-reminder-of-most-serious-challenge-to-humanity-pm-modi-to-sri-lankan-president-pm-212293">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday</a>, in a telephonic conversation with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressed his condolences and described the multiple bombings as "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out that these attacks were "another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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.</p>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1119863044216172544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"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," PM Modi tweeted out.&nbsp;</p>


Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday. Meanwhile, the death toll from the multiple bombings at Sri Lankan churches and hotels rose past 200, police and local media said.

Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday. Meanwhile, the death toll from the multiple bombings at Sri Lankan churches and hotels rose past 200, police and local media said. As many as 450 people have been wounded. "Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now, we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals," Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters in Colombo. Further details of the raid on the house in the Sri Lankan capital were not immediately available, news agency Reuters reported. Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday afternoon was rocked by another blast. The eighth explosion, in a series of blasts that had rattled the country on Sunday, occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city. Three people were reported dead in the latest blast. Police said there were no further details on what was targeted, adding that the blast was a suicide bombing, news agency AFP reported. The blasts Easter Day bomb blasts were reported at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels earlier today. The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported. St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province. Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported. The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for an emergency parliamentary session. Nation-wide curfew, social media blocked The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew on Sunday that the police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice". Sri Lanka's defence ministry initially said the curfew would be imposed overnight, but the police subsequently said it would go into effect straight away. Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban. "The government has decided to block all social media platforms in order to prevent incorrect and wrong information being spread. This is only a temporary measure" Udaya R Seneviratne, secretary to the president said in a statement. No place for such barbarism Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, in a telephonic conversation with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressed his condolences and described the multiple bombings as "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts". Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out that these attacks were "another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world". 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. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019 × "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," PM Modi tweeted out.

Sri Lanka multiple blasts: Seven arrested, death toll passes 200

<p>US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">series of deadly explosions at churches and hotels</a> in the island nation killed more than 160 people.</p>

<p>The US leader erroneously wrote that 138 million people were killed in the attacks.</p>

<p>''Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help!'' Trump tweeted.</p>

<p><img alt="Trump tweet" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dab6fedb-8e93-4529-8e7b-666a05339485" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_9.jpg" /></p>

<p>However, this&nbsp;tweet was deleted&nbsp;after a few minutes from the account.</p>

<p>Later Trump tweeted again offering condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka, ''138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!''</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1119923840161857536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sri Lanka on Sunday afternoon was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches in the capital city Colombo.</p>

<p>So far, over 160 are reportedly dead and around 400 people are severely injured.</p>

<p>Several religious leaders and politicians have strongly condemned the Sri Lanka attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice", after a string of deadly blasts.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban after a string of blasts targeting hotels and churches killed nearly 160 people.</p>

<p>The explosions are being billed as the major attacks since the end of the civil war a decade ago.</p>


US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka after a series of deadly explosions at churches and hotels in the island nation killed more than 160 people.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka after a series of deadly explosions at churches and hotels in the island nation killed more than 160 people. The US leader erroneously wrote that 138 million people were killed in the attacks. ''Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help!'' Trump tweeted. However, this tweet was deleted after a few minutes from the account. Later Trump tweeted again offering condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka, ''138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!'' 138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2019 × Sri Lanka on Sunday afternoon was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches in the capital city Colombo. So far, over 160 are reportedly dead and around 400 people are severely injured. Several religious leaders and politicians have strongly condemned the Sri Lanka attacks. The Sri Lankan government imposed a nationwide curfew Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice", after a string of deadly blasts. Sri Lanka's government said Sunday it would impose a "temporary" social media ban after a string of blasts targeting hotels and churches killed nearly 160 people. The explosions are being billed as the major attacks since the end of the civil war a decade ago.

Trump's solidarity message on Sri Lanka blasts goes wrong; tweets out 'heartfelt condolences' on death of '138 million people'

Condolence messages from all world leaders over Sri Lanka blasts, All expresses support by tweet. Watch complete video to know more.

Sri Lanka blasts: Condolence messages from world leaders, expresses support by tweet

<p>Cricket fraternity has condemned the&nbsp;series of bomb attacks throughout Sri Lanka on Sunday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">killed at least 160</a> people and injured many.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The explosions, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, led to an immediate clampdown, with the government declaring a curfew and blocking access to most major social media and messaging sites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe described a series of bomb attacks as "cowardly," calling on the country to remain "united and strong."</p>

<p>Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene wrote on his Twitter handle, "Very sad day for all of us in SL.. After 10 years of peace we see inhumane attaks on inocent again. While condeming and praying for the lost its time for us to stay calm and unite."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very sad day for all of us in SL.. After 10 years of peace we see inhumane attaks on inocent again. While condeming and praying for the lost its time for us to stay calm and unite. Proud… <a href="https://t.co/IVD9qYdLO8">https://t.co/IVD9qYdLO8</a></p>
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) <a href="https://twitter.com/MahelaJay/status/1119868701061394433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We as a county need to put away differences and get together at this crucial time to look after one another or we will not have this beautiful country for us or for our children.please don’t spread rumors on social media.We surely don’t need another war.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nototerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nototerrorism</a></p>
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angelo69Mathews/status/1119868681448611841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>England cricketer Chris Woakes said, "Terrible, terrible news coming out of Sri Lanka. Thoughts and prayers are with anyone effected! Such a beautiful country with beautiful people."</p>

<p>Another English cricketer Jason Roy wrote, "Thoughts with everyone in Sri Lanka. Such a beautiful place with great people. Such sad news."</p>

<p>Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and VVS Laxman also expressed grief over the ghastly attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pathan wrote, "Terrible news coming from http://srilanka.how &nbsp;one human can be so cruel to another ?????"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply saddened by the terrible attacks in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> .My sincere prayers with the people of Sri Lanka in this very difficult time.</p>
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) <a href="https://twitter.com/VVSLaxman281/status/1119848843615637504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened to hear about the terror attacks in various parts of Sri Lanka. Strongly condemn these acts of terror. Hatred and violence will never overpower love, kindness and compassion. 🙏🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a></p>
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1119874333105512448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Horrible news to come out of Sri Lanka. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts with all ❤️</p>
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bazmccullum/status/1119882101149450240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocked to hear the news coming in from Sri Lanka. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForSriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayForSriLanka</a></p>
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/1119849295262277632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim said, "This is just ridiculous...Doesn’t want to hear this kind of news anymore...my deepest sympathy to all the people and family...is there any place in the world is safe ???"</p>

<p>South African Faf Du Plessis said, "Terrible news from Sri Lanka where churches got bombed on Easter . Praying for everyone there and and the churches affected."</p>


Cricket fraternity has condemned the series of bomb attacks throughout Sri Lanka on Sunday that killed at least 160 people and injured many. The explosions, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, led to an immediate clampdown, with the government declaring a curfew and blocking access to most major social media and messaging sites.

Cricket fraternity has condemned the series of bomb attacks throughout Sri Lanka on Sunday that killed at least 160 people and injured many. The explosions, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, led to an immediate clampdown, with the government declaring a curfew and blocking access to most major social media and messaging sites. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe described a series of bomb attacks as "cowardly," calling on the country to remain "united and strong." Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene wrote on his Twitter handle, "Very sad day for all of us in SL.. After 10 years of peace we see inhumane attaks on inocent again. While condeming and praying for the lost its time for us to stay calm and unite." Very sad day for all of us in SL.. After 10 years of peace we see inhumane attaks on inocent again. While condeming and praying for the lost its time for us to stay calm and unite. Proud… https://t.co/IVD9qYdLO8 — Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 21, 2019 × We as a county need to put away differences and get together at this crucial time to look after one another or we will not have this beautiful country for us or for our children.please don’t spread rumors on social media.We surely don’t need another war.#nototerrorism — Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) April 21, 2019 × England cricketer Chris Woakes said, "Terrible, terrible news coming out of Sri Lanka. Thoughts and prayers are with anyone effected! Such a beautiful country with beautiful people." Another English cricketer Jason Roy wrote, "Thoughts with everyone in Sri Lanka. Such a beautiful place with great people. Such sad news." Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and VVS Laxman also expressed grief over the ghastly attacks. Pathan wrote, "Terrible news coming from http://srilanka.how one human can be so cruel to another ?????" Deeply saddened by the terrible attacks in #SriLanka .My sincere prayers with the people of Sri Lanka in this very difficult time. — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 21, 2019 × Saddened to hear about the terror attacks in various parts of Sri Lanka. Strongly condemn these acts of terror. Hatred and violence will never overpower love, kindness and compassion. 🙏🏻 #SriLanka — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 21, 2019 × Horrible news to come out of Sri Lanka. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts with all ❤️ — Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) April 21, 2019 × Shocked to hear the news coming in from Sri Lanka. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. #PrayForSriLanka — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 21, 2019 × Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim said, "This is just ridiculous...Doesn’t want to hear this kind of news anymore...my deepest sympathy to all the people and family...is there any place in the world is safe ???" South African Faf Du Plessis said, "Terrible news from Sri Lanka where churches got bombed on Easter . Praying for everyone there and and the churches affected."

Cricket fraternity condemns serial blasts that rattled Sri Lanka

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">series of blasts</a> that hit the neighbour island today, news agency PTI reported. He&nbsp;conveyed his condolences on behalf of all Indians and termed "as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts".</p>

<p>During the call, PM Modi pointed out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world.</p>

<p>A series of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, over 160 people have been reported dead so far, including 35 foreigners.</p>

<p>So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, PM Modi also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leaders-condemn-serial-explosions-in-sri-lanka-that-killed-at-least-129-212230">condemned the attacks</a> on Twitter and said that&nbsp;India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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.</p>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1119863044216172544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian foreign ministry also extended condolences to the families of victims.</p>

<p>"We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks," the foreign ministry&nbsp;said in the statement.</p>

<p>"We stand together with the people and Government of Sri Lanka in this hour of grief," the statement added.</p>

<p>India also called for perpetrators of the attack and those who provide them support to be brought to justice expeditiously.</p>

<p>The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per reports, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an emergency parliamentary session.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sri Lankan government also imposed a nationwide curfew Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on series of blasts that hit the neighbour island today, news agency PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on series of blasts that hit the neighbour island today, news agency PTI reported. He conveyed his condolences on behalf of all Indians and termed "as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts". During the call, PM Modi pointed out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world. A series of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, over 160 people have been reported dead so far, including 35 foreigners. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier in the day, PM Modi also condemned the attacks on Twitter and said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. "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." 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. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019 × Indian foreign ministry also extended condolences to the families of victims. "We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks," the foreign ministry said in the statement. "We stand together with the people and Government of Sri Lanka in this hour of grief," the statement added. India also called for perpetrators of the attack and those who provide them support to be brought to justice expeditiously. The three hotels that were hit were the Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo and the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the capital city, news agency Reuters reported. St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic Church in Kochcikade, Colombo, was one of the churches where a blast was reported on Sunday along with an explosion at St Sebastian's gothic-style Catholic church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo and an explosion that hit an evangelical church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province. Later in the day, the Sri Lankan police reported the seventh explosion, the fourth at a hotel near the national zoo, which is in an area near the capital Colombo, Reuters reported. The latest and the eighth in the series of Easter Day explosions occurred in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital city Colombo. As per reports, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an emergency parliamentary session. The Sri Lankan government also imposed a nationwide curfew Sunday that police said would go into effect immediately and would last "until further notice". (With inputs from agencies)

These blasts are grim reminder of most serious challenge to humanity: PM Modi to Sri Lankan President, PM

Sri Lanka bomb blasts: Death toll rises to 160, over 300 injured

<p>Sri Lankan president, prime minister and other political leaders strongly condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks on churches and hotels on Sunday that leftover 150 dead and urged people to be patient while vowing to bring to justice those responsible for the barbaric act.</p>

<p>The blasts targeted 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 around 8.45 a.M. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress.</p>

<p>Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital.</p>

<p>Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressed shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments.</p>

<p>The President said he has instructed all law enforcement agencies and defence services to take every possible step to maintain law and order and conduct speedy investigations into the dastardly attack and bring the culprits and those who were behind this conspiracy to book.</p>

<p>"I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy," the President said and added that all required steps have been taken to fulfil the responsibilities as a government.</p>

<p>Sirisena appealed to the nation to act with utmost restraint and patience, and not to be misled by baseless rumours and false stories. He also urged the people to extend unstinted support and cooperation to the government for the steps taken at this trying occasion.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while condemning the attacks called upon all the Sri Lankans to remain united and said the government is taking immediate steps to contain the situation.</p>

<p>"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," Wickremesinghe said.</p>

<p>Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa condemning the attacks said whoever is behind the attacks must be dealt with immediately. He called on the stand together and rise up against it as one voice.</p>

<p>"It is absolutely barbaric to see such violent attacks on such a holy day. Whoever is behind these attacks must be dealt with immediately. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones and all of Sri Lanka," Rajapaksa said.</p>

<p>"We will not tolerate such violence, such acts of terrorism, of cowardice within our borders once again. We will stand together and rise up against it as one voice. We will stand united as a nation," he said.</p>

<p>At least 140 people, including nine foreigners, were killed and over 400 were injured as the Christians in the country celebrated the Easter.&nbsp;<br />
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Sri Lankan president, prime minister and other political leaders strongly condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks on churches and hotels on Sunday that leftover 150 dead and urged people to be patient while vowing to bring to justice those responsible for the barbaric act.

Sri Lankan president, prime minister and other political leaders strongly condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks on churches and hotels on Sunday that leftover 150 dead and urged people to be patient while vowing to bring to justice those responsible for the barbaric act. The blasts targeted 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 around 8.45 a.M. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressed shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments. The President said he has instructed all law enforcement agencies and defence services to take every possible step to maintain law and order and conduct speedy investigations into the dastardly attack and bring the culprits and those who were behind this conspiracy to book. "I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy," the President said and added that all required steps have been taken to fulfil the responsibilities as a government. Sirisena appealed to the nation to act with utmost restraint and patience, and not to be misled by baseless rumours and false stories. He also urged the people to extend unstinted support and cooperation to the government for the steps taken at this trying occasion. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while condemning the attacks called upon all the Sri Lankans to remain united and said the government is taking immediate steps to contain the situation. "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," Wickremesinghe said. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa condemning the attacks said whoever is behind the attacks must be dealt with immediately. He called on the stand together and rise up against it as one voice. "It is absolutely barbaric to see such violent attacks on such a holy day. Whoever is behind these attacks must be dealt with immediately. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones and all of Sri Lanka," Rajapaksa said. "We will not tolerate such violence, such acts of terrorism, of cowardice within our borders once again. We will stand together and rise up against it as one voice. We will stand united as a nation," he said. At least 140 people, including nine foreigners, were killed and over 400 were injured as the Christians in the country celebrated the Easter.

Lanka PM, president condemn coordinated bomb attacks, urge countrymen to unite

Breaking News: Atleast 300 injured, 10 dead in six blasts in Sri Lanka during Easter mass

<p>A string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/south-asia/leaders-condemn-serial-explosions-in-sri-lanka-that-killed-at-least-129-212230">churches holding Easter </a>services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/india-news/indian-mission-in-lanka-monitoring-situation-issues-helpline-numbers-212228">156 people, including 35 foreigners</a>.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks as "cowardly" and said the government was working to "contain the situation".</p>

<p>Images circulating on social media and local news stations showed extensive damage at one of three churches targeted in the near-simultaneous blasts on Sunday morning.</p>

<p>Much of the church roof was blown out in the explosion, with roof tiles and splintered wood littering the floor and pools of blood in between wounded worshippers.</p>

<p>The injured flooded into local hospitals, where officials reported hundreds of wounded were being admitted.</p>

<p><iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1Ll9S-Pw6prjVNOQkVYjGTydeGOaHrUhq&amp;hl=en" width="640"></iframe></p>

<p><strong>Police chief warning</strong></p>

<p>The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility.</p>

<p>But documents seen by AFP show that Sri Lanka's police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit "prominent churches".</p>

<p>"A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama'ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo," the alert said.</p>

<p>The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that was linked last year to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues.</p>

<p>The first blast was reported at St Anthony's Shrine, a well-known Catholic church in the capital Colombo.</p>

<p>A second deadly explosion was then confirmed at St Sebastian's, a church in the town of Negombo, north of the capital.</p>

<p>"A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there," read a post in English on the church's Facebook page.</p>

<p>Soon after, police confirmed that a third church in the town of Batticaloa had been hit, along with three high-end hotels in the capital.</p>

<p>Hospital sources said British, Dutch and American citizens were among the dead, with Britons and Japanese among those injured in the attacks.</p>

<p><strong>'Cowardly attacks'</strong></p>

<p>President Maithripala Sirisena said in an address that he was shocked by the explosions and appealed for calm, and the prime minister was expected to speak to the media shortly.</p>

<p>On Twitter, Wickremesinghe wrote: "I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>The hotels targeted in the attack are all popular destinations for tourists, among them the Cinnamon Grand, which is near the prime minister's official residence in Colombo.</p>

<p>An official at the hotel told AFP the blast there had hit the restaurant and reported at least one person had been killed.</p>

<p>At the Shangri-La hotel, an AFP photographer saw extensive damage on the second-floor restaurant, with windows blown out and electrical wires hanging from the ceiling.</p>

<p><strong>'Horrible scenes'</strong></p>

<p>"Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway," Sri Lanka's Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva, said in a tweet on his verified account.</p>

<p>He said he had been to two of the attacked hotels and was at the scene at St Anthony's Shrine, where he described "horrible scenes".</p>

<p>"I saw many body parts strewn all over," he tweeted, adding that there were "many casualties including foreigners".</p>

<p>"Please stay calm and indoors," he added.</p>

<p>Embassies in Colombo warned their citizens to shelter in place, and Sri Lankan Airlines told customers to arrive at the airport four hours ahead of flights because of ramped-up security in the wake of the attacks.</p>

<p>Only around six 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.</p>

<p>There have been no attacks in Sri Lanka linked to foreign Islamist groups, despite local media reports that a 37-year-old Sri Lankan was killed in Syria in 2016 while fighting for the Islamic State group.</p>

<p>In January, Sri Lankan police seized a haul of explosives and detonators stashed near a wildlife sanctuary following the arrest of four men from a newly formed radical Muslim group.</p>


A string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 156 people, including 35 foreigners.

A string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 156 people, including 35 foreigners. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks as "cowardly" and said the government was working to "contain the situation". Images circulating on social media and local news stations showed extensive damage at one of three churches targeted in the near-simultaneous blasts on Sunday morning. Much of the church roof was blown out in the explosion, with roof tiles and splintered wood littering the floor and pools of blood in between wounded worshippers. The injured flooded into local hospitals, where officials reported hundreds of wounded were being admitted. Police chief warning The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility. But documents seen by AFP show that Sri Lanka's police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit "prominent churches". "A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama'ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo," the alert said. The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that was linked last year to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues. The first blast was reported at St Anthony's Shrine, a well-known Catholic church in the capital Colombo. A second deadly explosion was then confirmed at St Sebastian's, a church in the town of Negombo, north of the capital. "A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there," read a post in English on the church's Facebook page. Soon after, police confirmed that a third church in the town of Batticaloa had been hit, along with three high-end hotels in the capital. Hospital sources said British, Dutch and American citizens were among the dead, with Britons and Japanese among those injured in the attacks. 'Cowardly attacks' President Maithripala Sirisena said in an address that he was shocked by the explosions and appealed for calm, and the prime minister was expected to speak to the media shortly. On Twitter, Wickremesinghe wrote: "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." The hotels targeted in the attack are all popular destinations for tourists, among them the Cinnamon Grand, which is near the prime minister's official residence in Colombo. An official at the hotel told AFP the blast there had hit the restaurant and reported at least one person had been killed. At the Shangri-La hotel, an AFP photographer saw extensive damage on the second-floor restaurant, with windows blown out and electrical wires hanging from the ceiling. 'Horrible scenes' "Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway," Sri Lanka's Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva, said in a tweet on his verified account. He said he had been to two of the attacked hotels and was at the scene at St Anthony's Shrine, where he described "horrible scenes". "I saw many body parts strewn all over," he tweeted, adding that there were "many casualties including foreigners". "Please stay calm and indoors," he added. Embassies in Colombo warned their citizens to shelter in place, and Sri Lankan Airlines told customers to arrive at the airport four hours ahead of flights because of ramped-up security in the wake of the attacks. Only around six 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. There have been no attacks in Sri Lanka linked to foreign Islamist groups, despite local media reports that a 37-year-old Sri Lankan was killed in Syria in 2016 while fighting for the Islamic State group. In January, Sri Lankan police seized a haul of explosives and detonators stashed near a wildlife sanctuary following the arrest of four men from a newly formed radical Muslim group.

156 including 35 foreigners killed in Sri Lanka serial blasts targeting churches, hotels on Easter

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Lanka PM, president condemn coordinated bomb attacks, urge countrymen to unite