M’sia and the world mourn with Sri Lanka
About 300 lives at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka could have been spared in the Easter Sunday massacre if the authorities had heeded warnings from intelligence agencies. It’s all too late now and as the country mourns, the world feels its people’s sorro
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have joined the global community to condemn the bombings in Sri Lanka during Easter which have killed over 200 people and injured hundreds more.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has conveyed Malaysia’s support and solidarity to the people of Sri Lanka as the South Asian nation reels from the deadly Easter Day bombings.
“His Majesty strongly condemns the perpetrators involved in the blasts and is profoundly saddened by the devastating loss of lives and injuries,” said a statement from Istana Negara issued by the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.
“His Majesty also expresses his condolences and utmost sympathies for the victims of the senseless and barbaric crime and is saddened that innocent people were targeted during a time of prayer and celebration.
His Majesty truly believes that the humanity and strength of the Sri Lankan people will prevail in the face of this horrific tragedy.
Istana Negara
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong conveys Malaysia’s support and solidarity to the victims, their families and the people of Sri Lanka.
“His Majesty truly believes that the humanity and strength of the Sri Lankan people will prevail in the face of this horrific tragedy,” the statement added.
Malaysians joined the King in expressing their shock and sadness over the blasts in Sri Lanka.
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) has voiced its solidarity with the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Sri Lanka in condemning Sunday’s attacks.
“Religiously motivated violent acts are committed deliberately by religious zealots out to fan hatred and destabilise the peaceful coexistence of diverse communities in a democratic society,” its generalsecretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri said yesterday.
“In response to the growing reality of religiously motivated terrorism, the CCM states categorically that it rejects any violent act based on hatred in the name of religion or ethnicity.”
He also pledged CCM’s support in developing an environment of peace and justice based on the recognition of diversity and religious freedom which he said is the cornerstone of modern progressive societies.
“And for our prayerful solidarity with the Christians in Sri Lanka, we pledge to stand with the suffering of the persecuted while affirming that because of Easter, the powers of evil will hold no sway over the righteous and just will of God,” he said.
The Malaysian Ceylonese Congress also strongly condemns the “horrendous act of barbarism perpetrated on the people of Sri Lanka”.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives and to those injured. We stand united with the rest of the world in denouncing this cowardly act of terror. The perpetrators of this horrific crime must not go unpunished,” said its president T. Mahendranathan.
On Easter Sunday, nearly 300 people were killed and at least 450 injured in bomb blasts that ripped through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, the first major attack on the island since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.