160 killed, over 400 injured as multiple blasts rock Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, at least 160 people have been killed and over 400 injured in a series of bomb explosions targeting five-star hotels in capital Colombo and churches across the country.

At least nine foreign nationals have been killed and over 12 injured in the explosions at Shangrila, Kingsbury and Cinnamon grand hotels in Colombo, a favourite for foreign nationals.

The attacks happened around 9 AM when the churches were organizing Easter mass while services were organized at the hotels. Police has rushed to all affected areas and sealed off the churches and hotels.

Public has been advised to keep away from the incident sites and not to overcrowd hospitals. Our correspondent reports that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe held an emergency meeting to review the situation.

No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

This is the biggest such attack in Sri Lanka since the war against LTTE ended in 2009.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that she is in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. In a tweet, Mrs Swaraj said, New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the situation following multiple explosions in Sri Lanka.

President Ramnath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condemned the horrific attacks in Sri Lanka.

The President said, such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. President said, India stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka.

In a tweet, the Vice President expressed condolences to the members of bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, there is no place for such barbarism in our region. Mr Modi said his thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. (AIR)

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