Deadly Easter Sunday Bombing Kills Over 200 People, President Buhari Reacts

Scores of persons have been killed while several others have been left with various degrees of injuries after multiple explosions in Sri Lanka- that has prompted the response of Nigeria’s president, amongst other world leaders.

It is reported that at least 200 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, Colombia in the wake of Easter Sunday

At least eight blasts were reported including three churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo’s Kochchikade district were targeted while observing their Easter services.

The blasts also struck Shangri-La, Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand and a fourth hotel, all in Colombo, a development that has attracted an imposition of a curfew from 18:00 to 06:00 local time (12:30-00:30 GMT).

Although none has claimed responsibility for the attack, Seven arrests have already been made in connection with the attacks.

St Sebastian’s church in Negombo was severely damaged during the attack as images across social media platforms show a shattered ceiling and blood on the pews. Dozens of people are reported to have died there.

There were also scores of casualties at the site of the first blast in St Anthony’s hugely popular shrine in Kochchikade, a district of Colombo.
Among those killed in Colombo were at least nine foreign nationals, hospital sources told the Newsmen.

Hospital sources in Batticaloa said at least 27 people had died there.
A resident in Colombo, Usman Ali revealed that there were massive queues as he joined people trying to donate blood to survivors.

He said: “Everyone had just one intention and that was to help the victims of the blast, no matter what religion or race they may be. Each person was helping another out in filling forms.”
While reacting, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held an emergency meeting with the country’s top military officials of the National Security Council.

He has also called for an emergency convening of the nation’s parliament on Monday.
“I condemn these attacks which targeted religious places and some hotels. We all should join hands to protect law and order,” Wickremesinghe said.

“I have already instructed the Secretary of Defence, Tri Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police to take stringent action to ensure law and order in the country.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the horrific attacks on several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on the holy day of Easter.

The President made his feelings known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

Buhari extended his deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
“We stand with victims of terrorism all over the world because we know and understand this harrowing inhuman activity,” the President said.

According to him, Nigeria stands with the people of Sri Lanka at this terrible moment.
He urged the authorities not to spare ”the wicked elements behind these mischievous attacks.”

How the attacks unfolded

St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo was severely damaged in the attacks.

The first wave of attacks struck during busy Easter services at churches in the heart of the country's minority Christian community -- in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa.

More blasts ripped through three luxury hotels in the capital city of Colombo: the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury.

The Shangri-La in Colombo said the hotel's Table One cafe was attacked just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.

Another blast rocked a hotel in front of the Dehiwala Zoo in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

The final blast struck a private house in Mahawila Gardens, in Dematagoda, during a raid in connection with the attacks, officials said. Three police officers were killed.

"When crime division officials started questioning the people in the house, two explosions occurred," police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said. "One sub inspector and two constables of police have been killed."

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe "expressed his gratitude" to the officers in a statement, according to state news agency Derena TV.

Wickremesinghe reiterated that "stern action will be taken against those responsible," the news agency reported.

In all, the eight sites of explosions Sunday included:

St. Anthony's Shrine, Colombo
St. Sebastian's Church, Negombo
Zion Church, Batticaloa
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo
Near Dehiwala Zoo in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
A house in Mahawila Gardens, Dematagoda

"There is also information that these have been suicide bombings carried out," Manisha Gunasekera said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any terror group. But seven people were arrested following the attacks, said Harsha de Silva, Sri Lanka's minister of economic reforms and public distribution.

The victims came from around the world

A Sri Lankan officer inspects a blast site at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo.

Of the hundreds of people killed, about 30 were foreigners, de Silva tweeted.

At least 20 foreigners were among those killed in the capital city of Colombo, hospital director general Anil Jasinghe said.

The foreigners killed include at least three Indians, two Turkish nationals and two Chinese citizens, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Five British citizens, including two dual US-UK nationals, were also killed in the bombings, the statement said.