ZCZC
BFF-07
SRILANKA-ATTACKS REAX
‘Horrific’, ‘cruel’, ‘sad’: World leaders react to Sri Lanka blasts
COLOMBO, April 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Religious and world leaders have
condemned a series of blasts in Sri Lanka that killed more than 200 people on
Sunday, including dozens of foreigners with British, Dutch and American
citizens believed to be among them.
Hospital sources also said Japanese citizens were among those injured by
the bombs which ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter
services.
Here is a summary of the reactions:
– Britain: ‘Stand together’ –
British Prime Minister Theresa May described the attacks as “truly
appalling”.
“The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly
appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this
tragic time,” she tweeted.
“We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to
practise their faith in fear.”
– Trump: ‘Ready to help’ –
US President Donald Trump tweeted: “Heartfelt condolences from the people
of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist
attacks on churches and hotels.
“We stand ready to help!”
– The Netherlands: ‘Terrible reports’ –
“Terrible reports from Sri Lanka about bloody attacks on hotels and
churches on this Easter Sunday,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tweeted
after initial news of the attacks.
“Thoughts are with the victims and their relatives.”
– Pope: ‘Cruel violence’ –
Pope Francis expressed his sadness over the attacks during his traditional
Easter address at the Vatican.
“I want to express my affectionate closeness with the Christian community,
attacked while it was at prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel
violence,” he said.
The Catholic Church in Jerusalem had said in an earlier statement: “We
pray for the souls of the victims and ask for speedy recovery of the injured,
and ask God to inspire the terrorists to repent of their killing and
intimidation.”
MORE/FI/ 0827 hrs
ZCZC
BFF-08
SRILANKA-ATTACKS REAX-2-LAST
– Australia: ‘Terrorist attack’ –
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement: “At this time as Easter
Sunday draws to a conclusion here in Australia, our heart goes out to those
Christians and all of those other innocents who have been slaughtered today
in this horrific terrorist attack.”
– New Zealand: ‘Devastating’ –
A month after dozens of Muslims were killed in a shooting at two mosques
in Christchurch, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the Sri
Lanka attack as “devastating”.
“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.”
– Pakistan: ‘Horrific’ –
Pakistan’s leader Imran Khan offered his “profound condolences” to Sri
Lanka.
“Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter
Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured,” he tweeted.
– India: ‘Cold blooded’ –
Narendra Modi, the leader of neighbouring India, condemmned the “serial
terrorist attacks” in a government statement.
“Terming them as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts, he pointed
out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious
challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the
entire world,” the statement added.
MORE/FI/ 0829 hrs
ZCZC
BFF-09
SRILANKA-ATTACKS REAX-3-LAST
– EU: ‘Sad day for the world’ –
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his “horror and sadness”
at the blasts, while EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the
attacks marked “a truly sad day for the country and for the world”.
“Such acts of violence on this holy day are acts of violence against all
beliefs and denominations, and against all those who value the freedom of
religion and the choice to worship,” she added in a statement.
– France: ‘Odious acts’ –
“We strongly condemn these odious acts,” French President Emmanuel Macron
wrote on Twitter.
“Full solidarity with the Sri Lanka people and our thoughts for all those
close to the victims this Easter.”
– Germany: ‘Malicious attack’ –
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “religious hate and intolerance that
have showed themselves in such a terrible way today must not win”.
“It is shocking that people who gathered to celebrate Easter together were
consciously targeted in this malicious attack,” Merkel said in a statement
published by a spokeswoman on Twitter.
– Russia: ‘Cynical crime’ –
“I would like to reassert that Russia has been and remains a reliable
partner of Sri Lanka in combating the threat of international terrorism,”
Vladimir Putin said in a Kremlin statement.
“I expect that the masterminds and perpetrators of such a heinous and
cynical crime committed in the midst of Easter celebrations will get the
punishment they deserve.”
– Israel: ‘Deep shock’ –
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses in the name of Israel’s
citizens deep shock over the murderous attacks against innocent civilians in
Sri Lanka,” a government statement said.
“Israel is willing to aid the authorities in Sri Lanka in this difficult
time. The whole world must unite in the struggle against the scourge of
terror.”
– Egypt mosque: ‘Cannot imagine’ –
The grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world’s foremost
religious institution, condemned the “terrorist” attacks.
“I cannot imagine a human being could target the peaceful on their
celebration day,” said Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb on Twitter.
“Those terrorists’ perverted disposition goes against the teachings of all
religions.”
– South Africa: ‘Fight terrorism’ –
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to Sri Lanka
and vowed that his country “will continue to use its non-permanent seat on
the United Nations Security Council to prioritise the fight against terrorism
and extremist groups across the world.”
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0830 hrs