Video PlayerClose People work at a blast scene at St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 21, 2019. The Sri Lankan government said on Sunday that seven people had been arrested over the multiple blasts that rocked the island nation earlier in the day and killed at least 207 so far. (Xinhua) COLOMBO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Multiple blasts which shook Sri Lanka on Sunday have claimed 207 lives while more than 450 others were wounded, Sri Lankan police said. Altogether eight explosions have ripped through the country so far, with six blasts hitting in the morning and two in the afternoon. A curfew has been imposed from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. local time on Monday. The Sri Lankan government has also imposed a temporary ban on social media to prevent the spread of false information. Seven people have been arrested over the multiple blasts, the Sri Lankan government said. They were arrested during a security forces raid on a house in the Sri Lankan capital several … [Read more...] about Death toll from Sri Lanka’s blasts rises to 207, over 450 injured, nationwide curfew declared
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UN chief condemns terrorist attacks on churches, hotels in Sri Lanka
Video PlayerClose UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed outrage at the terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, recalling the sanctity of all places of worship. The secretary-general said that "he hopes the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice." In a statement issued by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of Sri Lanka, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He also commended the leadership demonstrated by the authorities and unity of the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks. Guterres reiterated the support and solidarity of the United Nations with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka in this difficult moment for the nation. The death toll from the multiple blasts that ripped through Sri Lanka on Sunday rose to 228 while 450 others were injured, … [Read more...] about UN chief condemns terrorist attacks on churches, hotels in Sri Lanka
Chinese president, premier send condolence messages to Sri Lanka over deadly attacks
Video PlayerClose BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday sent condolence messages to their Sri Lankan counterparts, respectively, after multiple deadly attacks shook the country. In his message to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Xi said that he was shocked to know the series of explosions in Sri Lanka, which have caused large casualties. "I, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as myself, send my deep condolences to the victims, and my sincere sympathy to the injured and families of the victims," he added. The Chinese government and people will firmly stand by the people of Sri Lanka and firmly support the Sri Lankan government's effort to maintain national security and stability, Xi said. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent condolences to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the attacks. … [Read more...] about Chinese president, premier send condolence messages to Sri Lanka over deadly attacks
U.S. confirms deaths of several Americans in Sri Lanka blasts
Video PlayerClose WASHINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States confirmed on Sunday that "several U.S. citizens" had been killed in the multiple deadly attacks in Sri Lanka. "While many details of the attacks are still emerging, we can confirm that several U.S. citizens were among those killed," said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. "The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terror attacks," Pompeo added. The death toll from the multiple blasts that ripped through Sri Lanka on Sunday rose to 228 while 450 others were injured, local media quoting hospital sources said. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said in a statement that 32 foreigners from the United States, Britain, Belgium and China were among those killed. … [Read more...] about U.S. confirms deaths of several Americans in Sri Lanka blasts
UNAOC chief condemns terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka
Video PlayerClose UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Miguel Moratinos, the high representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), on Sunday condemned the multiple terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. Moratinos condemned the attacks "in the strongest terms," according to a press statement issued by his spokesperson Nihal Saad. The UNAOC chief stressed that "the unspeakable terrorist attacks should not dissuade us from taking a collective stand against terrorism in all its forms." He pledged to continue to work on developing his Plan of Action for safeguarding religious sites to guarantee that worshippers can observe their rituals in a spirit of peace and compassion. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 22 asked Moratinos to develop an action plan to better protect religious sites in the wake of several terrorist attacks on them. The multiple attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday have killed over 200 people, injured over 450 others so far. … [Read more...] about UNAOC chief condemns terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka