Sri Lanka Bombings

On April 21, Easter morning, 253 people were killed in bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. The attack is believed by government officials to be retaliation for the shootings in New Zealand last month. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne declared that this was the work of at least one extremist Islamic group.

Sri Lankan police recently released the identities and photos of the nine suspects who are believed to have carried out the Easter attacks. One of the suspects was Mohamed Zahran, who was considered the attack leader. Another suspect was the wife of another suicide bomber. She blew up herself, her children, and three police officers in a villa that belonged to her father-in-law.

The police also admitted that there was a failure on their part to respond to tips that there would be attacks on churches and hotels on Easter morning. Now, the Sri Lankan police are receiving help from inside and outside the country. Citizens are coming forward with any information they have, and outside countries (such as the US, UK, and India) are offering assistance to apprehend the remaining four suspects at large.

Now, all Catholic schools in Sri Lanka are closed indefinitely because the country’s Catholic cardinal received a message that churches across the country could be attacked this week. On Thursday, the cardinal cancelled all Catholic services through the country because of security threats. Public schools were reopened Monday, April 29th under intense security.

By Caroline Parrish