Nagpur : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi called up the President and the premier of Sri Lanka and conveyed heartfelt condolences over the loss of over 207 lives in terrorist attacks in the island nation on Sunday. During his conversations with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Modi condemned the serial terrorist attacks in the strongest terms, perpetrated at sites including religious places and during a religious festival, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. Describing the attacks as “cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts,” Modi said these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world.
The Prime Minister renewed the offer of all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges such as those posed by terrorism, the PMO statement said. He also wished the injured speedy recovery and offered any required assistance for their treatment. Condemning the blasts, Modi said there is no place for barbarism in the region and that India stands in solidarity with the people of the island nation. “Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region,” he tweeted.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured,” Modi said. “Hundreds of innocent people were killed by terrorists in Sri Lanka. They were doing prayers in Church and celebrating Easter, at that time, terrorists killed scores of people including children and women. I express my condolence,” Modi said later addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh. “India is standing by Sri Lanka and is ready for any help in the time of crisis,” he said. Expressing concern over the menace of terrorism, Modi also took this opportunity to stress on voting in favour of the BJP to strengthen the fight against terrorism in India. CONG CONDEMNS BLASTS: The Congress on Sunday condemned the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka, with party President Rahul Gandhi terming it a “diabolical act of terrorism.” “I’m saddened and disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in Colombo in which hundreds have died,” Gandhi tweeted.
“I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray the injured make a speedy recovery,” he said. The Congress said on its official Twitter handle, “We are deeply saddened by the terrible attacks on several churches in Sri Lanka on the holy day of Easter. We stand with the people in their time of grief and pray for their recovery.” Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik and former State Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also condemned the attacks. Expressing shock and anguish over the blasts, Malik said it was a heinous act which attempts to spread fear and hatred.
He added that the whole world needs to stand united in the fight against terrorism. Abdullah said it was hoped that end of the war with the Tamil Tigers would also see the end of terror attacks on the Emerald Isle but sadly that hope was shattered. “While condemning these horrible attacks, designed to cause massive loss of life on a day that was to be celebrated, my prayers for the deceased and injured as also for their loved ones,” the National Conference Vice President said. Mufti said she was pained to hear about the horrific serial blasts. “The sole purpose of these barbaric acts is to create panic and hatred amongst people. It would help not to draw conclusions by floating irresponsible and baseless theories,” the PDP President tweeted.
WORLD LEADERS CONDEMN EASTER SUNDAY BOMBINGS: COUNTRIES from across the globe, including the US, the UK, Russia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh expressed shock and condemnation over the deadly blasts at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that left over 215 people dead. Dozens of foreign nationals were feared to have been killed in the near simultaneous blasts, which targeted Catholic church worshippers on Easter Sunday as well as luxury hotels in Colombo. The blasts targeted St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, St Sebastian’s Church in the town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 am (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels – the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital. US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered ‘heartfelt condolences” to the people of Sri Lanka.
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