Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the President and the Premier of Sri Lanka and conveyed heartfelt condolences over the loss of more than 200 lives in terrorist attacks in the island nation on Sunday.
During his conversations with Sri Lankan PresidentMaithripalaSirisena and Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe, Modi condemned theserial terrorist attacks in the strongest terms, perpetrated at sites includingreligious places and during a religious festival, according to a statement fromthe Prime Minister’s Office.
Describing the attacks as “cold-blooded and pre-plannedbarbaric acts”, Modi said these attacks were another grim reminder of themost serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our regionand the entire world.
The Prime Minister renewed the offer of all possible helpand assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challengessuch as those posed by terrorism, the PMO statement said.
He also wished the injured speedy recovery and offered anyrequired assistance for their treatment.
Condemning the blasts, Modi said there is no place forbarbarism in the region and that India stands in solidarity with the people ofthe island nation.
“Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka.There is no place for such barbarism in our region,” he tweeted.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayerswith the injured,” Modi said.
“Hundreds of innocent people were killed by terroristin Sri Lanka. They were doing prayers in Church and celebrating Easter, at thattime, terrorists killed scores of people including children and women. Iexpress my condolence,” Modi said later addressing a public meeting inRajasthan’s Chittorgarh.
“India is standing by Sri Lanka and is ready for anyhelp in the time of crisis,” he said.
Expressing concern over the menace of terrorism, Modi alsotook this opportunity to stress on voting in favour of the BJP to strengthenthe fight against terrorism in India.
Countries from across the globe, including the US, the UK,Russia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh expressed shock andcondemnation over the deadly blasts at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka onEaster Sunday.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered “heartfeltcondolences” to the people of Sri Lanka.
“Heartfelt condolences from the people of the UnitedStates to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churchesand hotels… We stand ready to help!,” Trump tweeted.
British Prime Minister Theresa May described the attacks as”truly appalling”.
“The acts of violence against churches and hotels inSri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of thoseaffected at this tragic time,” she tweeted.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was thinking ofthose killed in a “horrific terrorist attack”.
“To the beautiful people of Sri Lanka, Australia sendsits heartfelt sympathies and our prayers and our support – and our offer to dowhatever we can to support you in this terrible time of need,” he said ina statement.
A month after dozens of Muslims were killed in a shooting attwo mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand Prime Minister JacindaArdern describedthe attack as “devastating”.
“New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, and ourresolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil on the 15th ofMarch. To see an attack in Sri Lanka while people were in churches and athotels is devastating”.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also strongly condemnedthe barbaric attacks.
“Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in SriLanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured.My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands incomplete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief,” he tweeted.
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli condemned the”heinous” terror attacks and extended condolences to the people ofSri Lanka.
“I am deeply saddened by multiple bomb blasts andkillings of innocent people in Sri Lanka. I express my condolence toRanilWickramasinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and bereaved families ofvictims of the brutality,” Oli said in a tweet while wishing speedyrecovery to the injured people.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her deepconcerns over the explosions which took place on Sunday morning.
In the message, she prayed for peace and salvation of thedeparted souls and offered her condolences to the grieving families.
Hasina also hoped for a quick recovery of the injured.
European leaders are expressing horror at the attacks onchurches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote in a messageto his Sri Lankan counterpart that he was “stunned and horrified” bythe “cowardly terror attacks.”
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wrote on Twitter that hewas “deeply shaken and concerned by (the) devious terrorist attacks.”
German Chancellor Angel Merkel said: “Terrorism,religious hatred and intolerance cannot be allowed to win.”
“We’re horrified by the news that Christians in SriLanka were attacked and killed during Easter services,” wrote Merkel’sspokesperson on Twitter. “We mourn them and pray for the injured and theirfamily members.”
Meanwhile, Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan called theattacks “an assault on all of humanity”.
Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates all issued statements via their foreign ministries condemning the attack.