Pain, grief rock Sri Lanka as a string of terrorist attacks on churches, hotels kill at least 207 people

By Samuel Abuya

A series of coordinated Sri Lanka Easter terror bombings targeting churches and hotels have claimed at least 207 lives leaving behind mass casualties. The terror attacks have since been described as the worst to hit the country since the end of the civil war more than 10 years ago.

According to police, more than 450 people suffered injuries following the eight coordinated attacks. Most of the attacks are said to have been carried out by suicide bombers, police say.

Most of the victims died in three churches that were attacked as the worshippers attended their Easter Sunday services. Other attackers hit three luxury hotels, the Kingsbury, the Cinnamon Grand and the Shangri-La, situated in the country’s capital, Colombo, claiming the lives of at least 35 foreigners.

By the time of going to press, no group that had claimed the responsibility of the attacks.

“I was seated in one of the middle rows and could hear a sudden noise. I felt numb as small pieces of brick and soot covered my body… Suddenly there were loud screams and weeping. The hall was consumed by a burning smell, and people were screaming and scrambling out… I managed to get out of the pew, I saw a pile of people lying on the floor soaked in blood and soot,” said the 31-year-old Yasmin Chistina Rodrigo who had returned home to celebrate Easter with her family.

While condemning the attacks, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the attacks were meant to make “make the country and its economy unstable”.

“I condemn these attacks which targeted religious places and some hotels. We all should join hands to protect law and order,” Wickremesinghe said.

So far, thirteen people have been arrested in connection with the bloody attacks.

Africa Global News Publication