Sri Lanka - Hundreds dead and injured in terror bombings, 21 April 2019 *ARRESTS*

[dotr]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sri-lanka-church-hotel-explosions-1.5105883
"The eight explosions, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, led to an immediate clampdown, with the government declaring a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time and blocking access to major social media and messaging sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp.

SriLankan Airlines is telling passengers booked on flights out of the country that they will be able to fly despite the curfew."
"Three other explosions were reported from the five-star hotels — the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury in Colombo. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital."

 

[dotr]

Five British citizens killed in Sri Lankan bombings
"One Dutch, one Chinese, one Portuguese and two Turkish nationals have been killed, their respective foreign ministries have confirmed. Three UK nationals and two US-UK dual nationals were also among the dead. The UK Foreign Office would not comment on the figures. The vast majority of the 207 killed and 450 injured were understood to be Sri Lankan.

Local media in Sri Lanka reported that foreign nationals from the US, Denmark, China, Japan, Pakistan, Morocco, India and Bangladesh were among the dead, citing a national hospital spokesperson."

Global Affairs warns Canadians in Sri Lanka there could be more attacks
"The federal government is warning Canadians in Sri Lanka to limit their movements and avoid affected areas after a series of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka killed at least 207 people.

Global Affairs Canada has issued a statement warning that the situation in the island nation remains “volatile,” and more attacks are possible."
"The government has also warned that the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka in the capital Colombo will be closed on Monday due to the security situation.

Sri Lanka’s government has imposed a nationwide curfew and blocked access to social media in the wake of the attacks at churches, hotels and a guesthouse on Easter Sunday."

 

[Gardener1850]

“We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they confront violent extremism,” says US secretary of state Mike Pompeo as he condemns the attacks and confirms several Americans are among those killed.

Jake Tapper (@jaketapper)
.⁦@SecPompeo⁩ condemns terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, confirms “several U.S. citizens were among those killed.” pic.twitter.com/KtjCbDP5fQ

April 21, 2019

Sri Lanka attacks: several arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live

 

[Gardener1850]

Information was there' about possible attacks, says PM
We now have more from Wickremesinghe’s press conference.

“So far the names that have come up are local,” but investigators will look into whether the attackers had any “overseas links”, he told reporters.

He also acknowledged that “information was there” about possible attacks. “While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken.”

However, he stressed the government’s first priority would be to “apprehend the terrorists.”

“First and foremost we have to ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka attacks: several arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live

 

[Gardener1850]

The Sri Lankan government blocked access to social media sites in the aftermath of the attacks that killed at least 207 people, in a bid to stop a spread of misinformation that could lead to further violence.

In a statement, Udaya R Seneviratne, from the office of the president, said the government had “taken steps to temporarily block all social media avenues until the investigations are concluded”. Officials said the eight explosions at churches and hotels, which injured more than 450 people, were suicide bomb attacks.

In a statement to the Guardian, a Facebook spokesperson said they were “aware of the government’s statement regarding the temporary blocking of social media platforms”.

The spokesperson added: “Teams from across Facebook have been working to support first responders and law enforcement as well as to identify and remove content which violates our standards.”

Roshni Fernando, a resident of Colombo, one of the cities targeted in the attacks, told the Guardian that Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp had been blocked since 2pm local time, though Twitter was still accessible.
Read more: Social media shut down in Sri Lanka in bid to stem misinformation

 

[Pi Thoughts]

As many as 35 tourists have been killed in the Sri Lanka bombings with major hotels targeted and Australian tourists saying they’re frightened.

“I can tell you the three hotels hit — the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and the Kingston are all 5-star resorts on the main drag of Colombo and there will definitely be Australians in those hotels.”
Sri Lanka attacks: Australians caught up in Colombo bombings, 35 tourists dead

 

[galiuro1]

Late on Sunday, the country's air force said an improvised explosive device had been found, and disposed of, close to Colombo's main airport.

"A PVC pipe which was six feet in length containing explosives in it was discovered," spokesman Gihan Seneviratne told local media.

More than 200 killed in Sri Lanka attacks

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Information was there' about possible attacks, says PM
We now have more from Wickremesinghe’s press conference.

“So far the names that have come up are local,” but investigators will look into whether the attackers had any “overseas links”, he told reporters.

He also acknowledged that “information was there” about possible attacks. “While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken.”

However, he stressed the government’s first priority would be to “apprehend the terrorists.”

“First and foremost we have to ensure that terrorism does not lift its head in Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka attacks: several arrested after 207 killed at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday – live

Well unfortunately that has become common rather than a rare occurrence.

It always seems there was prior information known before these barbaric terrorists attacks are carried out. Sigh.

I would be livid if I was a family member of the dead or injured to learn they already had prior information about these attacks may occur.

Did they not even put up barricades around these targets? Prior precaution should have been taken especially for these churches.

I'm so thankful the 6 foot pipe bomb found didnt explode. It would have taken even more lives. That's a very large pipe bomb.

Imo

 

[Cryptic]

I wonder the same, especially given the arrests that have already happened. Maybe related, maybe not, but I had seen an article yesterday (I think BBC) about a Muslim extremist group claiming their first attack in one of the African countries. Sorry to be vague, but I can't find the article right now.

I believe you might be thinking of the attacks in Mali. The attacks featured Al Queda or ISIS level terrorists launching an attack on a 5 star tourist hotel.

Prior to those attacks, Jihader activity in Mali consisted of "B team" cattle rustlers who occasionally murdered policemen and set up road blocks to net wealthy locals and westerners for ransoms.
2015 Bamako hotel attack - Wikipedia

 

[glamourkitty1922]

That's so sad. The world has gotten very dangerous and angry.

 

[Gardener1850]

New Zealand prime minister calls for 'the right to worship safely'
Little more than a month after a devastating attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, the country's prime minister has a message of solidarity for Sri Lanka.

“New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, and our resolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil on the 15th of March. To see an attack in Sri Lanka while people were in churches and at hotels is devastating," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a statement.

“New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely."

Live Updates: Sri Lanka explosions - CNN

 

[Gardener1850]

Eerily quiet during curfew
From CNN staff in Colombo

An overnight curfew imposed deathly quiet in capital city Colombo, before it was lifted on Monday morning. Driving through the streets from the airport, a CNN reporter saw only a handful of other cars on normally busy highways and roads. No pedestrians or other signs of street activity were visible.

The city’s beachfront hotel district, where several of the bombs struck Sunday, was heavily guarded. Soldiers carried automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs inspected arriving guests, mostly international press.

Many other guests have left, or are preparing to leave—a bad sign for Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism industry.

Live Updates: Sri Lanka explosions - CNN

 

[Gardenista]

Pictured: British lawyer mother and her son killed in Easter Sunday Sri Lanka bomb attacks | Daily Mail Online

 

[zencompass]

Standing with Sri Lanka and all of humanity for this senseless, heartless, violence to end, in every corner of the world.

My heart felt so broken hearing this devastating news, and I know millions of others felt this way.

I am praying for tremendous comfort and support to be wrapped around every single person affected by this horror.

Sending prayers for the victims in the hospital to survive.

May the people of Sri Lanka know that the world is grieving with them. May they hold one another close with love and support during this unfathomable time.

 

[Pi Thoughts]

The number of people killed in Sri Lanka's church and hotel attacks has risen to 290 with more than 500 people injured and 13 suspects arrested.

Meanwhile it has emerged warnings of an imminent attack were circulated to authorities just days before the bombings.

The memo, dated April 11, signed by Sri Lanka's deputy inspector general of police, warned of a potential attack and suggested security should be heightened in light of the advice.
Sri Lanka death toll rises to 290

 

[Pi Thoughts]

So many unnecessary, sad losses.....

“Billionaire ASOS owner Anders Holch Povlsen has lost three of his four children in the Sri Lanka terror attacks.
Povlsen, Denmark’s richest man, is the second largest private landowner in Britain.

He has four children with wife Anne Storm — Alma, Astrid, Agnes and Alfred — but it is not known which have died.
Just days ago, Alma posted picture of her three siblings next to a pool.”


Easter bombings victims identified

 

[IminSyd]

So senseless - what have any of these attacks achieved? So sorry to anyone involved must be just devastating.

 

[Elley Mae]

Moulvi Zahran Hashim

WHO'S ZAHRAN HASHIM, ALLEGED MASTERMIND OF ONE OF THE SRI LANKA ATTACKS?

Who's Zahran Hashim, alleged mastermind of one of the Sri Lanka attacks?

CNN reported that Hashim also wanted to attack the Indian High Commission in Colombo earlier this month, but the attack was thwarted. According to the CNN report, that attack was planned for April 4.

 

[Elley Mae]

Police are also investigating reports that intelligence services may have had information about potential attacks but failed to issue warnings.

Sri Lanka explosions: Ministers say intelligence officers were aware of Easter Sunday attacks

.....

• Sri Lanka’s security forces were warned at least 10 days before the bombings that the group planned suicide attacks against churches, but apparently took no action against it, indicating a catastrophic intelligence failure. Top government officials say the warning never reached them.

Sri Lanka Bombings Live Updates: Terrorist Group Is Identified, and Death Toll Rises

 

[dotr]

Van explodes near bombed Sri Lanka church
"A van parked near a Sri Lankan church that was bombed on Easter Sunday has exploded, but no injuries have been reported.

Police went to inspect the van Monday after people reported it had been parked near St. Anthony’s Shrine since Sunday.

They discovered three bombs that they tried to defuse. Instead, the bombs detonated, sending pedestrians fleeing in panic."

"The co-ordinated Easter Sunday bombings that ripped through Sri Lankan churches and luxury hotels, killing more than 200 people, were carried out by seven suicide bombers from a domestic militant group named National Thowfeek Jamaath, a government official said Monday.

All of the bombers were Sri Lankan citizens, but authorities suspect foreign links, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said at a news conference.

Earlier, Ariyananda Welianga, a government forensic crime investigator, said an analysis of the attackers’ body parts made clear that they were suicide bombers. He said most of the attacks were carried out by a single bomber, with two at Colombo’s Shangri-La Hotel."