The international community has reacted to yesterday’s bombings in Sri Lanka, which left at least 207 people dead hundreds of others wounded, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reported.
The bombings targeted eight different locations - including churches where Christians were marking Easter Sunday - and 5-Star hotels in commercial capital Colombo.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attacks in the "strongest terms possible" in a written statement.
"This is an assault on all of humanity. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Sri Lanka, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Erdogan said.
Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, said in a Twitter post: "(I) strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost and hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also denounced the deadly blasts, saying: "There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured."
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the attacks and said: “Attacking churches and hotels and targeting worshipers is appalling, and Afghanistan strongly condemns this heinous act of terror. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka on this dark day.”
In a Twitter statement, the spokesman of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Steffen Seibert, said they were "horrified by the news that Christians in SriLanka were attacked and killed during Easter services."
British Prime Minister Theresa May, for her part, said the attacks in Sri Lanka were "truly appalling".
"My deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time," she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a statement, offered his "sincerest condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of the series of terrorist attacks" in Sri Lanka, according to Russian state-run agency Tass.
Underlining that Moscow remained as a reliable partner of Sri Lanka in its fight against international terrorism, he said: "I expect that the perpetrators and masterminds of this cruel and cynical crime, committed at the height of Easter celebrations, will incur a deserved punishment."
US President Donald Trump, in a Twitter post, said: "The US offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (photo) said: "The UN stands in solidarity with Sri Lanka as the global community fights hatred and violent extremism together."
Guterres emphasised that holy sites must be respected.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic condemned the terror attack and expressed their solidarity with Sri Lanka.
In a statement, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and expressed hope that the persons responsible for the “barbaric crime” would be brought to justice.
Indonesian Foreign Ministry also extended condolences to the families of the victims.
Confirming that there were no Indonesian citizens among the victims, the ministry called on the Indonesian citizens in Sri Lanka to remain vigilant and cautious and to follow directions from local security authorities.
"The Indonesian government believes that the Sri Lankan government can handle the situation well, and is also willing to provide the necessary assistance," the ministry added.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the attacks "on innocent lives", while New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "To see an attack in Sri Lanka while people were in churches and at hotels is devastating.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned "the odious acts" in Sri Lanka.
"We stand by the people of Sri Lanka and our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the victims on this Easter Sunday," he said.
EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic have also condemned the attacks.
- Bernama
