Pray for Sri Lanka: Cricketers condemn Easter Sunday bombings\, call for \'love\, kindness and compassion\'



Pray for Sri Lanka: Cricketers condemn Easter Sunday bombings, call for 'love, kindness and compassion'

Many cricketers, former and present, condemned the attacks and expressed grief over the death of innocent people.


Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar

Cricketers from around the world such have condemned a series of blasts in Sri Lanka that targeted people in churches, luxury hotels and a housing complex on Easter Sunday.

According to latest reports, the eight blasts killed nearly 160 people - including dozens of foreigners - with British, Dutch and American citizens believed to be among them. The blasts shattered a decade of peace in the country after the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE.

The blasts - one of the deadliest in the island nation's history - targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and a church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility.

Many cricketers, former and present, condemned the attacks and expressed grief over the death of innocent people.

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, "Saddened to hear about the terror attacks in various parts of Sri Lanka. Strongly condemn these acts of terror. Hatred and violence will never overpower love, kindness and compassion."

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli also expressed his shock at the events. He tweeted, "Shocked to hear the news coming in from Sri Lanka. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Shikhar Dhawan was also 'deeply saddened' by the attacks.

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma tweeted, "Thoughts and prayers with Sri Lanka. Such a beautiful country."

South African cricketer Dale Steyn said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone local and foreign effected by these despicable barbaric acts."

Sri Lankan cricketers also took to Twitter express their thoughts. Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne tweeted, "Please be patient - We must be strong but calm we are a country of great resilience..."

Angelo Mathews urged people to 'put away differences and get together at this crucial time to look after one another'.

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena too expressed their feelings.