Negombo, Sri Lanka: The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombings that claimed the lives of over 300 people in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
Image Source: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
The terror outfit made the claim using its Amaq news agency, according to The New York Times.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene on early Tuesday said the attacks were in retaliation to the Christchurch terror attacks that took place in New Zealand on March 15.
“The preliminary investigations have revealed that what happened in Sri Lanka was in retaliation for the attack against Muslims in Christchurch,” Al Jazeera quoted Wijewardene, as saying.
Wijewardene also told the Sri Lankan Parliament that the death toll has mounted to 321, including 38 foreigners.
Eight explosions rattled various suburbs in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikede and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday on April 21.
A mass burial ceremony was held here today following a funeral service at St. Sebastian’s Church, one of the churches that came under attack.
Several teary-eyed locals were seen in attendance at the memorial service and a mass burial for the victims of the gruesome attacks.
The ceremony was held amidst heightened security in the region, with armed forces lending shoulders to carry the mortal remains of the deceased to the burial ground.
The country is in a state of emergency in the aftermath of the bombings. All schools have been shut down till April 24 (Wednesday), as the authorities continue their search and rescue operations.
Stay tuned for more updates!
