The series of blasts in Sri Lanka has left one Indian dead, among the 185. The victim has been identified as Razeena from Kerala. The Sri Lankan police have arrested seven people in connection with the blasts and stated that it looks like suicide bombing. The efforts to bring back the mortal remains of the Kerala woman are underway.
Colombo: A Kerala woman is one among those killed in the blasts that took place in Sri Lanka. The victim has been identified as Razeena, 61, who was a native of Mogral Puthur in Kasargod.
The woman had gone to Colombo to visit her relatives.
The Kerala government has initiated action to bring her mortal remains back to the state.
“The action to bring the body of Razeena, native of Mogral Puthur, from Sri Lankan capital Colombo has been progressing. The authorities of the Department of Non Resident Keralite Affairs have been in constant touch with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s office and with her relatives,” statement from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office said.
The chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan took to Facebook to condemn the attack and said, “The series of blasts in Sri Lanka are condemnable. The fact that it happened during a day like Easter points to communal intolerance behind this. We stand with all those who are aggrieved and condemn the communal and terror interests worked behind this.”
The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry confirmed that seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the serial explosions that hit three churches and four hotels.
Explosions were reported on Sunday, at the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena, St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya in Katana, the Zion church in Batticaloa; Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels in Colombo; near the Zoological Garden at Dehiwala.
Pope Francis also condemned the attacks and described it as "cruel violence". The Pope, in his address to the thousands who had gathered at Vatican City's St. Peter Square for the Easter Sunday celebrations, said, "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."
US President Donald Trump also tweeted saying, "Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help!"
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