We condemn the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka

We express deep sorrow at series of bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday which claimed nearly 300 lives and injured around 500. We pray for the salvation of the departed souls, quick recovery of the wounded and express solidarity with the near ones of the victims. The people of Bangladesh stand firmly beside the Sri Lankan people in their time of distress and sorrow.

The attacks were carried out in three five-star hotels and three Catholic churches. The Sri Lankan government confirmed that two were suicide attacks. They are still working on confirming the nature of other attacks. It was Easter Sunday, a holy day for Christians, but people of other religions were killed too. Of the dead, 36 were identified as foreign citizens including 3 from Bangladesh. People of all ages including women and children were killed in the attacks. Although the attacks were apparently carried out targeting Christians, it was indeed a heinous attack on humanity. Till now none has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Sri Lankan authorities have not yet named any suspects. Whoever be the attacker, we, the people of Bangladesh, express our utmost condemnation. We hope Sri Lanka will be able to identify the attackers and that the global community extends their support to that end.

The three-decade ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka ceded around a decade ago. Political tension still exists there despite people’s hopes for permanent peace and stability. But such unexpected gruesome attacks have certainly shaken the island nation to its core. “I thought we have left those violent days behind for good,” a survivor told UK’s Guardian newspaper. It is clear that the attack has shaken the people’s aspirations for permanent peace in the country.

The attack is a big blow for the peace loving people of other South Asian countries too. Stability of this region has been shattered on many occasions by local and international terrorist groups. Not only in Pakistan or Afghanistan, terrorists carried out suicide attacks in India and even in Bangladesh, killing innocent people. Sunday’s series attacks in Sri Lanka are thought to be well planned and coordinated. It is believed that an organised group was instrumental behind the attacks. Sri Lankan minister Harin Fernando tweeted that a police document on 11 April warned that a group named ‘National Towhid Jamaat’ was planning to attack Catholic Church and Indian High Commission. International media reports quoted Sri Lanka's prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the authorities were warned of such terror attack but ‘that premonition was not given due importance’.

The authorities would surely investigate if there was any lack of security measures and take necessary steps. Other countries must also beef up security measures too.