At least 150 people have lost their lives and over 250 were injured on Sunday as explosions ripped through three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka. 35 foreigners are among the deceased.
Explosions were reported as hundreds of worshippers gathered at the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena, St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya in Katana, and the Zion church in Batticaloa to commemorate Easter Sunday. The other three blasts were reported at the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels in Colombo. At around 2 pm, a seventh explosion was reported in Sri Lanka's Dehiwala, near the Zoological Garden, according to Reuters. An eighth explosion was reported from Dematagoda Mahawila gardens.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the nation and said “I am shocked and saddened by the situation that has occurred.” He appealed to citizens to remain calm and not be fooled by rumours.
In a tweet, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks.
“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,” he tweeted.
All government schools in the island country will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
An emergency meeting has been called over the attacks, Minister Harsha De Silva said in a tweet.
"Secretary of Defence and I am at Kochchikade Church. We were also at Shangri-La and Kingsbury Hotels. Rescue operations are underway. Many casualties have been reported including foreigners," he said and requested people to stay calm and indoors.
Sri Lanka’s opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the St Anthony’s Church and Kochchikade and offered his condolences.
Images on social media showed the inside at the St. Sebastian Church with a shattered ceiling and blood on the pews.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka has also put out emergency numbers for Indians in distress. "Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789," the Embassy tweeted.