GUWAHATI: Over 290 people were killed and nearly 500 injured in a series of blasts that shook Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Churches and luxury hotels were the main target of the bombings. As many as eight blasts occurred in and around the capital city of Colombo and in the eastern city of Batticaloa on Sunday morning, as large groups gathered in churches for Easter service.
The Presbyterian Church of India (PCI), located in Shillong, Meghalaya has condemned the serial bomb blasts across several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka and the General Assembly of the church has strongly castigated it as well.
Condemning the attack, a statement issued by Reverend G.S. Lyttan, senior administrative secretary, Presbyterian Church of India, Shillong said, “we strongly condemn such acts to occur not only in Sri Lanka but anywhere in the world and instead, work for peace and harmony in unity.”
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At least six Indians have been killed in a string of eight powerful blasts, said the police. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has identified two more individuals killed in the blasts since.
“We sadly confirm the deaths of the following two individuals in the blasts yesterday, K G Hanumantharayappa and M Rangappa,” Swaraj retweeted Indian High Commission in Colombo’s tweet.
Conveying heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved, the Presbyterian Church of India also prayed to the Almighty for comfort and strength as well as healing and recovery to the injured.
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“We empathize with all who suffered from this physical, mental and spiritual trauma. We urge upon the Sri Lankan Government to do its very best to stop further heinous and dastardly acts and that it should not escalate and spread like a contagious disease,” it added.
13 people have been arrested in connection with the blasts so far, police said. However, authorities have not yet released details on those arrested.