‘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.”

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

Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019

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.

Indians in distress may please contact Indian High Commission in Colombo. We will provide you all assistance. @IndiainSL Our helpline numbers are :
[phone],[phone],[phone], [phone].
Pls RT

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019

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.

India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 21, 2019

Deeply saddened by the bomb blasts in #Colombo #SriLanka and killing of innocent people there. Such ghastly acts of violence are highly condemnable. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families. Pray for speedy recovery of injured.

— Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) April 21, 2019

Saddened by the terror attacks in #SriLanka. Condolences to those who’ve lost family members/friends. Hope the injured recover fast. We stand by SriLanka in this hour of grief.

— Chowkidar Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 21, 2019

Deeply pained to learn about the horrific blasts and loss of precious lives in Sri Lanka. We strongly condemn such acts of terror. India stands firmly with our neighbour nation in these trying times. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected.

— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 21, 2019

Shocked to hear about the sinister acts of terror in Sri Lanka. India stands strongly with the citizens of Sri Lanka in these tragic times. My thoughts & prayers are with the families affected.

— Chowkidar Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) April 21, 2019

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

I’m saddened & disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in #Colombo in which over 100 people have died & more than 300 injured.

I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism.

My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray the injured make a speedy recovery.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2019

Terrorism strikes #SriLanka again. It had been hoped that the end of the war with the Tamil Tigers would also see the end of terror attacks on the Emerald Isle but sadly that hope has been shattered today.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 21, 2019

Pakistan Expresses Solidarity With Sri Lanka

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

Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 21, 2019

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

Pakistan condemns explosions and terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka at Churches & Hotels, that have led to numerous casualties and immense loss. People and Government of Pakistan stand by people and Government of Sri Lanka at this moment of tragedy and against terror: FO spokesperson pic.twitter.com/1kVr1gIbOk

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) April 21, 2019

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

I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of innocent lives in multiple bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo #SriLanka.

My heartfelt condolences to the members of bereaved families and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.#lka #SriLankaBlasts #Blasts

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) April 21, 2019

We are deeply saddened by the terrible attacks on several churches in #SriLanka on the holy day of Easter. We stand with the people in their time of grief & pray for their recovery.

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 21, 2019

Saddened and shocked at the disturbing news coming in from Sri Lanka. All forms of violence are unacceptable. Easter is a Festival of Peace. My thoughts and prayers with the grieving families

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 21, 2019

Extremely shocked to learn about the blasts in Sri Lanka leading to so many casualties. My sympathies and condolences to the bereaved and injured. I have many friends there. I hope they are safe.

— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) April 21, 2019

Shocked & saddened by news of church & hotel bombings in SriLanka. Intolerance, bigotry & terrorism sadly know no borders or limits. Profound condolences to the families & my thoughts and prayers for that beautiful & tortured land. https://t.co/eU1gKjuOnp

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 21, 2019

What hate brings you. #SriLanka . Astonished. The island nation has regressed. There are lessons to be learnt from the madness.

The root of #SriLanka’s miasma of despair lies in its politics.

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 21, 2019

Distressed and sorrowful to about serial bomb blasts in #srilanka taking lives of score of people.

I strongly condemn this cowardice act of killing innocent people in Churches and hotels on the pious day of Easter. #SriLankaBlast

— Takam Sanjoy (@sanjoy_takam) April 21, 2019

Deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the church bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday..my prayers for those who lost their lives and condolences to their families.. we condemn the terror attack..

— Urmila Matondkar (@OfficialUrmila) April 21, 2019

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.