Sri Lanka was rocked by multiple explosions on Sunday, including three blasts on church services celebrating Easter. Three of Colombo’s high-end hotels were also targeted in quick succession, police and security services said. Hospital sources said at least 42 people have been killed the in six blasts across the country and hundreds more taken to hospital including foreign tourists. The first explosions were reported at St Anthony’s Church in Colombo and St Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya in the town of Negombo.”A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there,” read a post in English on the Facebook page of the St Sebastian’s Church. Soon after the initial reports, four other blasts were confirmed by the police. Three of those were at hotels, while another was reported from a church in the town of Batticaloa.
An official at the Batticaloa hospital told AFP more than 300 people had been admitted with injuries following the blast there. In Colombo, the blasts hit the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, the Shangrila and the Kingsbury. The fatalities include at least 42 people killed in Colombo, where three hotels and a church were hit, and another 10 dead in the town of Batticoloa, where a church was attacked.
Harsha de Silva, a Sri Lankan member of parliament, was at the scene of the attack on St Anthony’s Shrine.
Sec Defence and I am at Kochchikade church. Also was at ShangriLa n Kingsbury. PM is on his way from Bentota. Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway. Please stay calm and indoors. Many casualties including foreigners.
✔@HarshadeSilvaMP
