Christians Mourn Sri Lanka Church Attacks on Easter Sunday, Post Condolences on Twitter
Not just Christians but people from across the world and cutting across religions took to social media to express grief and anger.
Sri Lankan firefighters stand in the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka | Image credit: AP
The blasts have caused an outpouring of grief and condolences on social media, even as graphic images of the attacks went viral on various platforms. While there remained confusion as to the increasing death toll, most people expressed great sorrow at the tragedy, which happened on Easter Sunday, a day that is revered by Christians across the globe.
Sri Lanka Minister G Harsha De Silva postedthis disturbing account on Twitter:
Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force. We, at 1990 also have close to 20 units at the various locations. We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives.
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Sec Defence and I am at Kochchikade church. Also was at ShangriLa n Kingsbury. PM is on his way from Bentota. Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway. Please stay calm and indoors. Many casualties including foreigners.
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Christians across the world took to the platform to express disgust and sorrow at the attack which took place on an otherwise happy, holy day for the faith.
Im really upset with these senseless #bomb attack in tow church over capital.. pray for rescue colombo 😢🙏 Rest In Peace and get well soon
— SJ.Harry (@SJ_Harry19) April 21, 2019
#SriLanka pic.twitter.com/daNeorE0ZC
Horrific terror attack in #SriLanka, with at least 52 dead after bombs rock multiple locations, including Churches, as Christians celebrating #Easter Sunday.
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) April 21, 2019
When will int'l community take seriously the coordinated & relentless terror attacks on Christians, especially in Asia? pic.twitter.com/BGPmJVFxAm
The intent to cause well-planned terror attacks and injury to innocent, unarmed devotees of a certain faith on their holiest day is vile. As a Catholic I’m angry, I’m disgusted, I’m sad and heartbroken to see this happen in #SriLanka.
— Aruni Abeyesundere (@aruni_t) April 21, 2019
Easter attacks on Sri Lankan churches and hotels reek of a cowardly plan to incite hatred, cause communal discord and create civil commotion.
— Viran Corea (@ViranCorea) April 21, 2019
Such elements are known to use social media too.
To beat this terrorist objective, citizens need to avoid panic and not pass on rumours.
On an Easter Sunday Christians targeted in Sri Lanka ...the blood of the innocent will cry out against the savages of this heinous crime with our hate and apathy we are strengthening terror #killhate
— lygiadsouza (@lygiadsouza3) April 21, 2019
Explosions, wounded and dead in Sri Lanka while Christians were celebrating Easter Sunday. A reminder that sometimes it is dangerous to live your faith. Pray for our persecuted brethren.
— Eduard Habsburg (@EduardHabsburg) April 21, 2019
Prayer for Sri Lanka 🙏
— Oliyab Tinky (@OliyabTinky) April 21, 2019
"JESUS"
Multiple blasts hit Sri Lanka during Easter Mass across three churches.
I feel that pain in my soul, 🙌
My prayers with victims and families.#LahooShaheedoKa pic.twitter.com/s7AGFJoXsB
Please pray for the many people who have been killed and injured in explosions in Churches and hotels in #SriLanka. Merciful Lord, have pity on us. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us. pic.twitter.com/Ch6mVapFlP
— Most Merciful Jesus (@mercyjubilee) April 21, 2019
My heart and prayers go to out to #SriLanka today and tomorrow. My prayers also go out to every Christian living in danger during Easter and Holy Week for orthodox.
— ⲗⲁⲩⲣⲁ (@ladyinmedicine) April 21, 2019
A terrible crime against #Easter & against humanity carried out by people who can only be described as evil. #SriLanka explosions: 50 killed as churches and hotels targeted https://t.co/3225t9xvTn
— Neil Clark (@NeilClark66) April 21, 2019
They are bombing Catholic churches on Easter Sunday now #SriLanka
— Jack Posobiec ✝️ (@JackPosobiec) April 21, 2019
Not just Christians but people from across the world and cutting across religions took to social media to express grief and anger. Many pointed out the futility of the violence and hoped it would not give rise to communal tensions in Sri Lanka.
Not again 😨 #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/3bGPrn2L42
— Ish Roo (@ish_roo) April 21, 2019
We are with our Catholic and Christian brothers.! 😢#PrayforSriLanka #Srilanka pic.twitter.com/30AZcqiy8U
— priyangan (@pri_tharshan) April 21, 2019
In last few months religion has been targeted no matter what religion it is. It is moment we all should understand that religion has nothing to do with terrorism. We all should stand and fight together for it. May the victum families get patience to get over this time. #SriLanka
— Abdul Rafeh Ali (@abdulrafehali1) April 21, 2019
#SriLanka pray for those 49 death people and upto 300 people injured🙏🙏. pic.twitter.com/9nmTbqo0Ob
— Garvit Khatri (@GarvitKhatri6) April 21, 2019
Horrific terror attack in #SriLanka, with at least 52 dead after bombs rock multiple locations, including Churches, as Christians celebrating #Easter Sunday.
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) April 21, 2019
When will int'l community take seriously the coordinated & relentless terror attacks on Christians, especially in Asia? pic.twitter.com/BGPmJVFxAm
Another day Another Attack on Humanity
— Himanshu Singh (@itshimanshu4u) April 21, 2019
#SriLanka #colombo #SriLankaBlast #SriLankaBlasts pic.twitter.com/YqjlTFADTv
Praying for the safety of everyone affected. #SriLanka
— hend amry (@LibyaLiberty) April 21, 2019
My heart and prayers go to out to #SriLanka today and tomorrow. My prayers also go out to every Christian living in danger during Easter and Holy Week for orthodox.
— ⲗⲁⲩⲣⲁ (@ladyinmedicine) April 21, 2019
It's a tragedy what happened in #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/rgw456bDRr
— T A zu dem D (@lifeofdalibort) April 21, 2019
Strongly condemn terroist attacks on the Churches and hotels in #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/li9xOly6v9
— Anjum Iqbal (@AnjumIqbal_PTI) April 21, 2019
The attack on Churches in #SriLanka during Easter celebration is not different from Christchurch attack or Mecca Masjid Blast in India.
— Md Asif Khan آصِف (@imMAK02) April 21, 2019
Majoritarian terrorists choose a day of festival to attack minorities so that they can cause more harm.
pic.twitter.com/1LWxxzHoN7
Heart wrenching news from #SriLanka pakistani brothers prayers are with you, this difficult time will pass, Allah willing, #SriLanka will come out victorious and strong out of it,
— Yusha Khan (@zuluswati) April 21, 2019
I don’t know where this world is heading towards, Thoughts and prayer.🙏🏻 #SriLanka
— Sweety Yadav👾 (@sweety__yadav) April 21, 2019
Not again 🙏 #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/vRUnFhvKVF
— Shawn Mendes Sri Lanka🇱🇰 (@MendesarmySL) April 21, 2019
Two of the six attacks that rocked Sri Lanka this morning are reportedly to be have been carried out by suicide bombers. The attack at Shangri La hotel was carried out by suicide bomber Zahran Hashim, while Abu Mohammad has been identified as the attacker at the Batticalao church.
The government has ordered the schools to remain shut tomorrow and day after in view of the dastardly attacks this morning which have claimed 160 lives so far.