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2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings

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2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings
Part of Terrorism in Sri Lanka, Persecution of Christians in the modern era
2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings is located in Sri Lanka
Colombo
Colombo
Negombo
Negombo
Batticaloa
Batticaloa
Dehiwala

Dehiwala
Dematagoda
Dematagoda
2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings (Sri Lanka)
LocationChurches
Hotels
Housing complex
  • One in Dematagoda
Date21 April 2019 (2019-04-21)
c. 8:45 a.m. (SLST; UTC+05:30)
TargetChristians, hotel guests
Attack type
Suicide bombings
Deaths215+[1]
Injured450+
AssailantsTerrorists
MotiveAnti-Christian sentiment

On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, three churches and five hotels across Sri Lanka suffered deadly bombings. Later that day there were smaller explosions at a housing complex and a motel, killing mainly police investigating the situation and raiding suspect locations. Several cities in Sri Lanka, including the commercial capital Colombo, were targeted. At least 207 people, including over 27 foreign nationals, were killed and more than 450 wounded in the bombings.[2][3][4][5][1] The church bombings were carried out during Easter mass in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo; the hotels bombed included the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo.[6][7][8]

Despite arrests, it was not initially known what group was responsible, and no group had admitted responsibility.[9]

Background

This was the first time since 2009, the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, that the country had experienced a major terrorist attack.[10]

Attacks

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Location of bombings in Colombo

Christians were celebrating Easter Sunday services when the bombings took place, targeting churches and hotels around Sri Lanka. At least two of the bombings are believed to have been caused by suicide bombers.[7]

Colombo

Sri Lankan news media reported at least 40 people killed in Colombo.[11][12]

The Catholic Shrine of St. Anthony in Kotahena, Colombo, Sri Lanka's biggest city, was the first to be hit.[13]

Also struck were three 5-star hotels in central Colombo: the Shangri-La Hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and The Kingsbury.[1][14]

Negombo

The Catholic church of St. Sebastian in Negombo, just north of the county′s capital, was one of the first hit by a bombing.[13] Sri Lankan news media reported at least 93 people killed.[11][12]

Batticaloa

The Zion Church in Batticaloa was bombed.[15] Sri Lankan news media reported at least 27 killed in Batticaloa.[11][12] Nine of the people killed were reported by a police official to be tourists.[6] A hospital official in Batticaloa said that more than 300 people had been admitted following the explosion.[8]

Dehiwala

A reception hall of the The Tropical Inn Hotel was also bombed and two casualties were reported.[16][17][18]

Dematagoda

A suicide bombing was carried out at a housing complex in Mahavila Udyana Road, Dematagoda, killing three police officers, including a sub inspector and two constables.[19][20]

Victims

Sri Lankan news media reported at least 207 people killed,[1] and more than 450 others are injured,[21] some critically. The majority are Sri Lankans, with 36 foreigners[22] among the dead; these reportedly include American, British, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese citizens.[23][24][25][26][27] The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry confirmed nationals of India, Portugal, Turkey, and the UK, and two dual national British-American citizens, had been killed, along with 25 unidentified foreign nationals,[22] and the Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed that three Danish citizens were killed.[27][28] It was announced that five British tourists were killed, two of whom also carrying American citizenship,[22] rather than American nationals. The US state department also said that "several" American citizens had been killed.[citation needed]

Separately, the director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, said eleven foreign nationals from Poland, Denmark, China, Japan, Pakistan, the USA, India, Morocco and Bangladesh are among the dead.[29]

Shantha Mayadunne, a Sri Lankan chef, was also confirmed among the dead.[30]

Perpetrators

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility, local police have arrested seven people residing in the Dematagoda suburb in connection to the attacks, further at least The Guardian (UK) reported that the Defense Minister stated the culprits were religious (Muslim) extremists[31][32][33][34][35][36]

Reactions

Domestic responses

Following the attack, Archbishop's House in Colombo announced all Roman Rite Easter services planned for the evening have been cancelled.[37] The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Ranjith, said, "It’s a very very sad day for all of us. I wish therefore to express my deepest sorrow and sympathy... I condemn to the utmost of my capacity this act that has caused so much death and suffering to the people."[38]

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said "I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy" .[39]

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, "I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today.[40] Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera described the attacks as a "well-co-ordinated attempt to create murder, mayhem and anarchy".[6]

Opposition Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the attacks "absolutely barbaric" and said that the nation will stand united as one against "acts of terrorism".[41]

The Defence Ministry have issued a night-time curfew started on 18:00 local time and also imposed a temporary social media ban.[42]

International responses

Condolences and condemnation were expressed by numerous world leaders and countries.[a]

At the conclusion of his Urbi et Orbi address at St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis said "I wish to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka], wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence."[50]

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby mentioned the attacks during his Easter address from Canterbury Cathedral, calling them "utterly despicable destruction that on this holiest of days seeks to challenge the reality of the risen Christ" and asking followers to deny darkness that leads to murder, as Jesus did.[73]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ World leaders giving condolences included those of Australia,[43] Bangladesh,[44] Brazil, [45] Bulgaria,[46] Canada,[47] Denmark,[48] Finland,[49] the Holy See,[50] Hungary,[51] India,[52] Indonesia,[53] Israel,[54] Italy,[55] the Netherlands,[56] New Zealand,[57] Pakistan,[58] Palestine,[59] the Philippines,[60] Poland,[61] Romania,[62] Russia,[63] Serbia,[64] Singapore,[65] Slovakia,[66] Sweden,[67] Turkey,[68] the United Arab Emirates,[69] the United Kingdom,[70] the United Nations[71] and the United States.[72]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bastians, Dharisha; Gettleman, Jeffrey; Schultz, Kai (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka Bombings at Churches and Hotels Said to Kill Over 200". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  2. ^ "156 Dead In Blasts At Two Sri Lanka Churches During Easter Mass: Report". NDTV. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Multiple explosions in Sri Lanka: Blasts during Easter Sunday service in Colombo". The National. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Easter Day bombs kill 138 in attacks on Sri Lankan churches, hotels". Reuters. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  5. ^ Pokharel, Sugam; McKirdy, Euan (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 400 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions". CNN. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Sri Lanka explosions: 137 killed as churches and hotels targeted". BBC News. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Multiple blasts hit Sri Lanka churches, hotels on Easter Sunday". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b Burke, Jason; Parkin, Benjamin (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka blasts: hundreds injured in church and hotel explosions". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  9. ^ , (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka attacks: several arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2019. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  10. ^ "Sri Lanka bombings: 138 killed, 400 injured as explosions rock Catholic churches during during Easter service". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Irugalbandara, Ramesh (21 April 2019). "LIVE: Death toll in Easter Sunday explosions crosses 160". News First. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  12. ^ a b c Bastians, Dharisha; Schultz, Kai (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka Bombings Target Churches and Hotels, Killing at Least 48". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  13. ^ a b Sri Lanka church and hotel explosions: More than 200 dead in Easter Sunday bomb attacks. The Telegraph, 21 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Three more explosions Kingsbury, Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand". Daily News. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Sri Lanka Bombings Live Updates: Deadly Carnage at Churches and Hotels". The New York Times. 21 April 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Another explosion rocks Dehiwala". Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Seventh bomb explosion heard at Sri Lanka Tropical Inn as Easter Sunday attacks continue". The Independent. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Sri Lanka bomb blasts LIVE updates: Eighth blast occurs in Colombo's Orugodawatta, no casualties reported yet". Firstpost. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  19. ^ "BREAKING: Three police officers killed in house raid". CNN. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Attacks on Sri Lanka churches and hotels". CNN. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  21. ^ Mailonline, Henry Martin For; Apr 2019, Afp 05:32 21; Apr 2019, updated 14:28 21 (21 April 2019). "Bomb blasts churches and hotels in Sri Lanka killing at least 207". Mail Online. Retrieved 21 April 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ a b c "Sri Lanka attacks: several arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live". The Guardian. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  23. ^ "Sri Lanka church and hotel explosions: More than 150 dead in Easter Sunday bomb attacks". The Telegraph. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  24. ^ "斯里兰卡国家医院：目前已确认有2名中国人遇难". 网易. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  25. ^ "Attacks on Sri Lanka churches and hotels". BBC news. BBC. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  26. ^ "Brits 'caught up' in Sri Lanka attacks as 207 reported dead". Sky News.
  27. ^ a b Müller, T.D. (21 April 2019). "Tre danskere har mistet livet i Sri Lanka" [Three Danes have lost their lives in Sri Lanka]. DR News (in Danish). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  28. ^ "3 Danes among the dead". www.dr.dk.
  29. ^ "Death toll rises to 207, 450 injured". www.dailymirror.lk.
  30. ^ Davidson, Tom (21 April 2019). "Tragic last picture hours before TV chef and daughter killed in Sri Lanka attack". mirror. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Sri Lanka explosions kill more than 200 -- live updates". www.cnn.com. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  32. ^ "Sri Lanka Easter bombings: Mass casualties in churches and hotels". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  33. ^ Times, The New York (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka Bombings Live Updates: 'It Was a River of Blood'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  34. ^ Siddique, Haroon (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka explosions: what we know so far". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  35. ^ CNN, Sugam Pokharel, Euan McKirdy and Tara John. "Sri Lanka blasts: More than 200 dead in church and hotel bombings across country". CNN. Retrieved 21 April 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sri-lanka-church-hotel-explosions-1.5105883
  37. ^ "Hiru News - Srilanka's Number One News Portal, Most visited website in Sri Lanka". Hiru News. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  38. ^ Siddique (now), Haroon; Rourke (earlier), Alison (21 April 2019). "Sri Lanka attacks: seven arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live". Retrieved 21 April 2019 – via www.theguardian.com.
  39. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka President condemns \'dastardly\' attack, calls for restraint and patience". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  40. ^ "Sri Lanka blasts: Prime minister condemns 'cowardly' attacks". CNA. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  41. ^ "Sri Lanka explosions: Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa and other world leaders condemn attacks". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  42. ^ "Blasts at Sri Lanka hotels and churches kill nearly 160". Agence France-Presse. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  43. ^ Morrison, Scott (21 April 2019). "I condemn the devastating & horrific Easter terrorist attacks on innocents in churches & hotels in Sri Lanka. I've been taking briefings this afternoon on the situation from DFAT. Call 1300 555 135 if you're seeking information on friends or relatives travelling in Sri Lanka". @ScottMorrisonMP. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  44. ^ "PM, President condemn Sri Lanka attack, express condolences". The Daily Star. 21 April 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  45. ^ "Bolsonaro condena atentado no Sri Lanka". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  46. ^ "Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed condolences to Sri Lanka Prime Minister". Focus. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  47. ^ "Canadians in Sri Lanka warned more attacks possible after deadly bombings". Global News. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  48. ^ Norup, M.L. (21 April 2019). "Udenrigsministeriet: Forlydender om dræbte og sårede danskere i Sri Lanka" [Foreign Ministry: Information about Danish citizens killed and wounded in Sri Lanka] (in Danish). DR News. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  49. ^ "Juha Sipilä tuomitsee Sri Lankassa pääsiäissunnuntaina tehdyt iskut". Talouselämä. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  50. ^ a b "Pope Francis laments Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  51. ^ "A külügyminisztérium elítéli a támadásokat [The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Condemns the Attacks]]". Magyar Nemzet. Magyar Nemzet. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  52. ^ ""No Place For Such Barbarism In Our Region": PM Modi On Sri Lanka Blasts". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  53. ^ antaranews.com. "Indonesia kecam keras pengeboman di Sri Lanka". Antara News. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  54. ^ "World leaders send messages of support to Sri Lanka following bombings". www.israelhayom.com. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  55. ^ "Sri Lanka, Mattarella: "Condanna vile gesto violenza". Conte: "Addolorato da nuova deriva d'odio"". RaiNews (in Italian). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  56. ^ Blok, Stef (21 April 2019). "Horrified by the terrible attacks on this Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Our thoughts are with the victims, including one Dutch national at this moment. The Netherlands has passed its heartfelt condolences to the Sri Lankan people. We stand with you". @ministerBlok. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  57. ^ "Sri Lanka explosions: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labels attacks 'devastating' and sends NZ's condolences to grieving country". 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  58. ^ "Prime Minister Imran Khan expresses his condolences to attacks in Sri Lanka". khaleejtimes.com. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  59. ^ "President Abbas condemns Sri Lanka terror attacks". Wafa. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  60. ^ Parrocha, Azer. "Palace sympathizes with families of Sri Lanka blast victims". Philippine News Agency. Philippine Government. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  61. ^ "Sri Lanka. MSZ wydało oświadczenie ws. zamachów". Wirtualna Polska (in Polish). 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  62. ^ Iohannis, Klaus (21 April 2019). "I strongly condemn the horrific attacks against innocent people in #SriLanka on Easter Sunday. My condolences to all those affected. We must stand up for freedom of religion and belief". @KlausIohannis. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  63. ^ "Майтрипале Сирисене, Президенту Демократической Социалистической Республики Шри-Ланка". Президент России (in Russian). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  64. ^ "Крвави Ускрс у Шри Ланци: Седам ухапшених, 207 погинулих, 450 рањених" [Bloody Easter in Sri Lanka: Seven arrested, 207 dead, 450 wounded] (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  65. ^ "Sri Lanka blasts: PM Lee condemns 'heinous attacks', MFA says no Singaporean casualties". CNA. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  66. ^ "Prezident Kiska vyjadril sústrasť rodinám obetí výbuchov na Srí Lanke". Teraz.sk (in Slovak). 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  67. ^ SwedishPM (21 April 2019). "I strongly condemn the horrifying terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, targeting innocent people celebrating Easter Sunday in their churches, as well as several hotels. Our thoughts are with the victims and their close ones. I am sending condolences to the people of Sri Lanka". @SwedishPM. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  68. ^ Erdoğan, Recep Tayyip [@RTErdogan] (21 April 2019). "I condemn in the strongest terms possible the Easter terror attacks in #SriLanka. This is an assault on all of humanity. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of #SriLanka, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ^ "UAE denounces terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka". Khaleej Times. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  70. ^ Theresa May [@theresa_may] (21 April 2019). "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. We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 April 2019 – via Twitter.
  71. ^ António Guterres [@antonioguterres] (21 April 2019). "UN Spokesperson "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."" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 April 2019 – via Twitter.
  72. ^ Trump, Donald [@realDonaldTrump] (21 April 2019). "138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  73. ^ "Live: Attacks on Sri Lanks churches and hotels". BBC. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019. Live update at 16:09 "Archbishop of Canterbury: 'Despicable destruction'"

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