India, Germany, UK, Pakistan, Turkey and other nations expressed shock over a series of bombings that have left more than 150 people dead.
WEB DESK
SEVERAL WORLD LEADER HAVE condemned the dastardly blast in several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka which reported to have claimed 165 lives.
Pope Francis: “I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka,” Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square to hear his Easter Sunday message.
“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 a civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka” says President of India Ramnath Kovind
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of innocent lives in multiple bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo Sri Lanka” says Vice president of India.
Authorities in Sri Lanka have said that 165 people were feared dead in six explosions that ripped through churches and popular hotels on Sunday morning, reports News 18.
Worshippers were targeted at the Kochikade, St Sebastian and Batticaloa churches during Easter mass. The other locations are Hotel Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotel.
The blasts occurred at around 8.45am (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.
According to Daily Mirror, at least 138 people were killed while many others were injured in the six explosions today, National Hospital Director Anil Jasinghe said.
He said 49 people were killed in Colombo, 62 in Negombo and 27 in Batticaloa.
I condemn the heinous terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, a sacred day for Christians. The UN stands in solidarity with Sri Lanka as the global community fights hatred and violent extremism together. Holy sites must be respected.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 21, 2019
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
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
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
I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of innocent lives in multiple bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo #SriLanka.
My heartfelt condolences to the members of bereaved families and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.#lka #SriLankaBlasts #Blasts
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka explosions and very regretful casualties in such large numbers. Good to see Maroof Raza on @TimesNow calling for India's immediate medical and other support. In Sri Lanka's need of the hour no one better placed than our nation. Hope this quickly happens.
— Syed Ata Hasnain (@atahasnain53) 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
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019
German Chancellor Angel Merkel said: “Terrorism, religious hatred and intolerance cannot be allowed to win.”
“We’re horrified by the news that Christians in Sri Lanka were attacked and killed during Easter services,” wrote Merkel’s spokesperson on Twitter. “We mourn them and pray for the injured and their family members.”
The German Foreign Office’s crisis response centre wrote that the situation in Sri Lanka was unclear and that it was trying to determine whether German nationals were affected by the attacks.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Theresa May also decried the attacks, describing the events as “truly appalling”.
“The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time,” May said on Twitter.
“We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear.”
Turkey
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the attacks “an assault on all of humanity”.
The Turkish foreign minister also condemned the deadly attacks, which broke a nearly 10-year lull in major attacks since the end of the civil war in the South Asian island nation.
European Union
EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his “horror and sadness” after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks ripped through Sri Lanka.
“It was with horror and sadness that I heard of the bombings in Sri Lanka costing the lives of so many people,” Juncker said on Twitter, adding that the European Union stood ready to help.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who had gathered to worship peacefully or come to visit this beautiful country,” Juncker said.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the attacks marked “a truly sad day for the country and for the world”.
“Such acts of violence on this holy day are acts of violence against all beliefs and denominations, and against all those who value the freedom of religion and the choice to worship,” she added in a statement.
New Zealand
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has condemned the “devastating” attacks.
In a statement, Ardern referred to the March 15 shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch in which 50 died.
“New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism and our resolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil,” Ardern said.
“New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely.”
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says 115 New Zealanders are registered as being in Sri Lanka but more are likely to be there. There is no indication New Zealanders are among the victims.
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin also denounced the attacks as “cruel and cynical.”
In a telegram of condolences sent to his Sri Lankan counterpart, the Russian leader said Moscow remains a “reliable partner of Sri Lanka in the fight against international terrorism”.
He added that the Russians “share the grief of the relatives of those killed and wish a quick recovery to all those who were wounded” after the Easter Sunday blasts.
Putin voiced confidence that “the perpetrators and the masterminds of such a cruel and cynical crime committed amid the Easter festivities will take the punishment they deserve.”
Pope Francis
“I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka,” Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square to hear his Easter Sunday message.
“I wish to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, hit while it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence.”
Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif shared condolences.
“Terribly saddened by terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan worshippers during Easter. Condolences to friendly govt & people of Sri Lanka,” Zarif said on Twitter.
“Our thoughts & prayers with the victims & their families. Terrorism is a global menace with no religion: it must be condemned & confronted globally.”