‘No Place for Barbarism’: PM Modi, Pak Condemn Sri Lanka Attacks

INC president Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, saying, “I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism.”

Relatives of people killed in Church blasts mourn as they wait outside mortuary of a hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019.

(Photo: AP)

Hundreds have taken to social media to condemn the multiple blasts that targeted churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, and stand in solidarity with those who have been affected.

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh, PM Narendra Modi said that India stood with Sri Lanka and will do whatever it can to help the island nation.

“India stands with the citizens of Sri Lanka. In such a crisis India will do whatever it can to help Sri Lanka.” 

PM Narendra Modi

At least 156 people were killed and around 400 injured in the explosions that rocked three churches and three hotels in the island nation on Sunday, 21 April. The incident took place as hundreds of worshippers were attending Easter services.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying she is in constant touch with the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo and is “keeping a close watch on the situation”. She has also given out helpline numbers for any Indians in distress in the aftermath of the attacks.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP President Amit Shah and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were among those who took to Twitter to condemn the blasts.

Rahul Gandhi and former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah also expressed their condolences after the blasts.

Pakistan Expresses Solidarity With Sri Lanka

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack, saying that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the country.

Pakistan Foreign Officer spokesperson also expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka and asserted its stand against terror, in a statement.

The Congress and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the near-simultaneous blasts.

While three high-end hotels and one church were targeted in the capital, Colombo, two other churches were attacked in Negombo and Batticaloa. No group has claimed responsibility so far for Sunday’s attacks.