Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks as 'cowardly' and said the government was working to 'contain the situation'.
Sri Lankan security personnel keep watch outside the church premises following a blast at the St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on April 21, 2019. Explosions have hit three churches and three hotels in and around the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, police said on April 21.COLOMBO - A string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 156 people, including 35 foreigners.
Much of the church roof was blown out in the explosion, with roof tiles and splintered wood littering the floor and pools of blood in between wounded worshippers. The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that was linked last year to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues. "A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there," read a post in English on the church's Facebook page.
An official at the hotel told AFP the blast there had hit the restaurant and reported at least one person had been killed. He said he had been to two of the attacked hotels and was at the scene at St Anthony's Shrine, where he described"horrible scenes".
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 156, including 35 foreigners - police
Read more »
Death toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 156, including 35 foreigners: policeA string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 156 people, including 35 foreigners.
Read more »
Blasts at Sri Lanka hotels and churches kill 156A string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 156 people, including 35 foreigners.
Read more »
At least 52 dead in Sri Lanka church, hotel blastsThe explosions hit three high-end hotels in the capital, where a church was also targeted.
Read more »
At least 52 dead in Sri Lanka church, hotel blastsThe explosions hit three high-end hotels in the capital, where a church was also targeted.
Read more »
Sri Lanka police chief warned of suicide attack threat before blastsPolice chief Pujuth Jayasundara sent an intelligence warning to top officers on April 11 setting out the threat.
Read more »
At least 42 dead after multiple blasts hit Sri Lanka churches, hotels during Easter servicesExplosions hit three high-end hotels in the capital, where a church was also targeted, and two additional churches were also hit.
Read more »
At least 137 dead after multiple blasts hit Sri Lanka churches, hotels during Easter servicesThe Sri Lanka police chief was allegedly warned of possible suicide attacks before the tragic Sunday blasts, according to a document received by AFP.
Read more »
Death toll in Sri Lanka Easter Day bomb blasts rises to 138 | IOL NewsEaster Day bomb blasts at three Sri Lankan churches and three hotels killed 138 people and wounded more than 400, hospital and police officials said.
Read more »
WATCH | 137 dead as blasts hit Sri Lanka churches, hotelsAt least 137 people were killed in Sri Lanka on Sunday, police sources told AFP, when a string of blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches as worshippers attended Easter services.
Read more »
Another blast reported in Sri Lanka as death toll continues to climbSeven blasts hit hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Sunday morning during Easter worship services, killing at least 156 people.
Read more »