EASTER SORROW
10 years after the end of a brutal civil war, the island nation of Sri Lanka convulses with unimaginable pain once more
THE string of blasts that struck Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on Easter Sunday has left many stunned and shocked.
They brought an end to 10 years of peace enjoyed by the island nation.
This was after the Indian ocean nation crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009, following a 37-year civil war.
Malaysian high commissioner to Sri Lanka, Tan Yang Thai, said the busy, vibrant and colourful streets of Colombo were replaced with heavy police and military presence following the attacks.
Tourists and locals were no longer in sight, he said, stating that a 12-hour curfew had been imposed on the country.
He said although most the blasts took place in the morning, the situation was fluid.
This was due to further blasts in the afternoon.
Tan said no Malaysians had been injured up to 7pm (Malaysian time) yesterday.
“We are fortunate that no Malaysians were involved at this moment, based on verification by the police and Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.
“No Malaysians were listed in any of the tragedies that occurred today (yesterday) and those who are registered with the high commission have been accounted for.”
Tan said there were about 150 Malaysians registered with the high commission.
However, he said, they did not have the exact number of Malaysian tourists.
Tan, together with other high commission personnel, were at the Malaysia House receiving guests when the blasts occurred.
Malaysia House is located a few kilometres from the blast sites, and as such, the Malaysian diplomatic corps’ members did not hear any loud explosions or see any fire or smoke.
Tan said their quiet weekend morning was shattered with police and ambulance sirens.
This was when the Malaysian diplomatic corps and guests realised blasts had taken place.
“This caught many by surprise because after the end of the civil war, there had been no attacks.
“We are praying that the country can get back on its feet soon.”
Tan advised those residing in Sri Lanka, especially in Colombo to remain indoors and avoid going to places where people congregated.
Tan, who has been in his post for the past year, said Malaysians could keep themselves updated through the Foreign Ministry.
A coordinated series of explosions at churches and hotels, struck Colombo’s neighbourhoods of Kochchikade and Negombo, as well as Batticaloa, located on the eastern part of island, at 8.45am.
Foreign and local media reports said the blasts occurred at churches, targeting worshippers as they attended Easter services.