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President, PM Modi condemn Sri Lanka serial blasts, offer condolences, extend support
India on Sunday strongly condemned the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka while Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with the president and the premier of the island nation offering all possible help and assistance.
India on Sunday strongly condemned the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka while Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with the president and the premier of the island nation offering all possible help and assistance.
In his conversation with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Modi termed the blasts “cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts” and pointed out that the attacks were a grave reminder of the serious challenge posed to humanity by terrorism in the region.
“Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region,” he tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind also condemned the attack. “India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country...,” he tweeted.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said there can be no justification for any act of terror and called for concerted global action to effectively deal with the menace, including cross-border terrorism.
Over 200 people were killed and around 500 others injured in a series of blasts at several locations in Sri Lanka in which suicide bombers were involved in at least two of the eight attacks that struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners on Easter Sunday.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We wish speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks,” the MEA statement said.
The ministry said India has always opposed and rejected terrorism in all forms and manifestations and there can be no justification for any kind of terror. “We call for perpetrators of such ghastly and heinous act and those who provide them support to be brought to justice expeditiously,” the ministry said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka,” the MEA statement said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also said India was keeping a close watch on the situation. “Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL,” Swaraj tweeted.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also offered condolences to the victims. “I’m saddened and disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in Colombo in which over 100 people have died and more than 300 injured. I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism...,” he tweeted.
