Two More Blasts In Sri Lanka, Explosions In Dehiwala And Dematagoda; Over 190 Dead in 8 Bomb Blasts In One Day In Country
In a shocking development reported from Sri Lanka's capital city Colombo, a seventh blast was reported from Dehiwala area in Tropical Inn hotel. In the blast, two people have lost their lives, taking a total death toll to over 160.
Colombo, April 21: In a shocking development reported from Sri Lanka's capital city Colombo, two more blasts were reported from Dehiwala area and Dematagoda. In the seventh blast, two people have lost their lives, taking a total death toll to over 190. The eighth blast was reported from Dematagoda. Meanwhile, Presidential Secretariat has declared a nationwide curfew. Till now, serial blasts have rocked several churches and luxury hotels in Colombo and Batticaloa on Easter. Out of the eight blasts, three were reported from churches, while other four blasts were reported in hotels. The latest blast reported from Dematagoda area, was a suicide attack. Sri Lanka Blasts: Names Of Churches And Hotels That Were Attacked On Easter Sunday.
The first explosions were reported from St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade at around 8.45 am on Sunday morning when people gathered in the church to offer mass on the occasion of Easter Sunday. According to reports, Christians form around 7 per cent of the total population in Sri Lanka, with Buddhists accounting nearly 70 per cent, followed by Hindus and Muslims. PM Narendra Modi Condemns Easter Sunday Serial Blasts, Says 'No Place For Such Barbarism'.
Locations of the Eight explosions:
- St. Sebastian's Church, Katuwapitiya
- St. Anthony's Church, Kochchikade
- Church in Batticaloa
- Cinnamon Grand Hotel
- Shangri La hotel
- Kingsbury hotel
- Tropical Inn (near Dehiwala zoo)
- Dematagoda
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attack and tweeted, "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 also held an emergency meeting with other minister and military officials. Minister of Economic Reforms Harsha De Silva said that all measures have been taken to maintain peace. Security has been tightened in the country. As a precautionary move, all schools in Sri Lanka will be closed on Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23, said Sri Lanka Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2019 02:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).