MURDERED AT PRAYER
FROM JEREMY ARMSTRONG in Colombo and ANDY LINES THE peace of Easter church services was cruelly shattered yesterday by terrorists who brought death and destruction to places of worship.
The extremists also targeted popular hotels in Sri Lanka, killing at least 207 people – including five Brits – and injuring 450 more in eight suicide bomb explosions.
No one had claimed responsibility for the massacre last night, but it came 10 days after police warned that radical Muslims were plotting to target churches on the Asian island.
Three blasts happened in quick succession at churches in the capital Colombo and cities Negombo and Batticaloa, as well as two popular tourist spots.
Later, three hotels were hit in Sri Lanka’s worst violence since the decades-long civil war ended in 2009.
Father Edmond Tillekeratne told how three priests had been celebrating Mass at St Sebastian’s in Negombo, north of the capital, when terrorists struck, killing 67.
He said about 30 bodies were seen among the smouldering debris.
Tillekeratne added: “You can see pieces of flesh thrown all over the walls and on the sanctuary and even outside of the church.”
He estimated more than 1000 people had come to the church for Easter Sunday “because it is a special day”. Many were from nearby villages.
Retired paediatrician Simon Whitmarsh told how he heard a blast rip through the Zion Church in the eastern city of Batticaloa, killing 25 – including, reportedly, five children.
The 55-year-old holidaymaker, from Wales, said: “We saw the ambulances, people crying, and we were told to leave.” St Anthony’s Church and shrine in Colombo was also targeted.
The Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo were blown up by suicide bombers.
There were also blasts at the city suburb of Dehiwala and Orugodawatta district, where three police officers died during a house search.
Alex Nicholson, 11, and mum Anita, 42, were feared to be among the five Brits killed. They are believed to have died while dining at the Shangri-La.
The boy’s father Ben survived but the couple’s youngest daughter was last night reportedly unaccounted for.
Anita and Ben are said to be lawyers in Singapore.
At the Cinnamon Grand, an attacker queued at 8.30am in a packed buffet restaurant before setting off the device.
Sri Lankan TV chef Shantha Mayadunne and her London-based daughter Nisanga were among the first fatalities named.
They were killed moments after sharing a picture of breakfast at the Shangri-La. A family friend said: “Nisanga was a popular girl in college. She was bright and smartShantha was an inspirational chef.”
Akshat Saraf was at the hotel with his wife and child when the bomb went off.
He said: “We heard two loud bangs and the entire room was shaking. There were casualties, about 40 hotel staff and guests taken to different hospitals.” Seven suspects were arrested after the attacks. Sri Lanka’s government ordered a nationwide curfew “until further notice”. A social media blackout was also imposed to “stop wrong information being spread”.
But it hampered efforts by worried
friends and family to contact loved ones. Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara is reported to have sent a warning on April 11 of a potential strike by Muslim group National Thowheeth Jama’ath, which has been linked to vandalism of Buddhist statues last year.
He wrote: “A foreign intelligence agency has reported the NTJ is planning to carry out suicide attacks on prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo.”
Britain’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris, who visited the injured, condemned the attacks.
He was in Colombo with his family at a church service cut short by the blasts.
Dauris said: “A series of explosions took place in hotels and churches. The churches were busy with Easter Sunday worshippers, the hotels with local people and foreign visitors.
“Reports suggest several dozen have been killed and hundreds injured in these evil and senseless attacks.”
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling.
“We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear.”
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt added: “To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I’m appalled by the horrific attacks, on Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar.”
President Donald Trump posted: “The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka.”
FATHER EDMOND TILLEKERATNE ON THE BLAST AT ST SEBASTIAN’S CHURCH
Americans, Turkish, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch were among the 35 foreigners killed.
A pipe bomb was reportedly detonated in a controlled explosion near Colombo Airport last night.
Out of Sri Lanka’s population of around 22million, 70 per cent are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and about 7.6 per cent are Christian.
Last year, there were 86 reports of discrimination, threats and violence against Christians.
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