Apr 21, 2019 09:02 PM IST | Source: Moneycontrol.com
Sri Lanka blasts highlights: Three Indians killed in blasts, says Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj
Live updates of the situation in Sri Lanka where six blasts have killed at least 156 people and injured over 400.
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Just In | Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 207, AFP has reported quoting police.
PM Modi while talking about the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka at a rally in Rajasthan: People were in Church, celebrating Easter, and terrorists have killed many people. What was their crime?
Air India has waived all charges for rescheduling and cancellation of tickets to and from Colombo till April 24 in the wake of the terror attacks in Sri Lanka, News18 has reported.
Just In | One Indian national from Kerala was killed in today's terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, reports indicate.
Update: Sri Lanka defence minister has said that seven people have been arrested in connection with the blasts today, according to reports.
Just In | British, Dutch and American citizens among those killed in Sri Lanka blasts, reports news agency AFP quoting hospital sources.
Pope Francis condemns Sri Lanka blasts
"I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka," Pope Francis said in St. Peter’s Square during his Easter Sunday message.
"I wish to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, hit while it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence," he added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemns 'religious hate and intolerance' after Sri Lanka attacks: AFP
Eighth blast a suicide bomb, killed three: AFP
The eighth blast was a suicide bomb, and killed three: AFP quoting police.
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) press release: "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had telephone conversations with the President and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and conveyed heart-felt condolences on his own behalf and on behalf of all Indians at the loss of over 150 innocent lives in today's terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.
"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi condemned in strongest terms the serial terrorist attacks, perpetrated at sites including religious places and during a religious festival. Terming them as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts, he pointed out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world.
"The Prime Minister renewed the offer of all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges such as those posed by terrorism. He also wished the injured speedy recovery."
Update: WhatsApp and Facebook temporarily suspended in Sri Lanka, reports suggest.
Sri Lanka defence minister orders night curfew: AFP
Sri Lanka defence minister has ordered night curfew after eight blasts hit the island country today, AFP has reported.
Eighth blast hits Sri Lankan capital: AFP
Another explosion, the eighth, has been reported from Colombo, news agency AFP has reported quoting police.
India condemns serial blasts in Sri Lanka
India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a press release has said: “We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We wish speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks,” it said.
“We call for perpetrators of such ghastly and heinous act and those who provide them support to be brought to justice expeditiously. We stand together with the people and Government of Sri Lanka in this hour of grief,” it added.
NEWS FLASH: Another explosion, the seventh, has been reported in Dehiwela, near the Sri Lankan capital, Reuters has reported quoting police.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened Sri Lanka's top military officials at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
The violence is the worst since Sri Lanka's bloody civil war ended a decade ago. An official told AP that at least two of the blasts were suspected to have been caused by suicide bombers.
"Extremely sad news from Sri Lanka on Easter. Enemies of humanity cannot be allowed to succeed in any part of the world and acts of terror should be condemned in strongest terms," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has tweeted.
Toll rises to 156, including 35 foreigners: AFP
The death toll in Sri Lanka blasts has risen to 156, including 35 foreigners, police sources told AFP.
"We are deeply saddened by the terrible attacks on several churches in Sri Lanka on the holy day of Easter. We stand with the people in their time of grief & pray for their recovery," the Congress party's official Twitter handle has tweeted.