As Sri Lanka holds a national day of mourning for the victims of the Easter bomb attacks, many are questioning how could such a thing have taken place – and why were Christians at worship among the targets?
The death toll has now risen to more than 300, with 500 injured in suicide bomb attacks attributed to local Islamist extremists. The bombers launched simultaneous attacks on three churches and hotels. They were timed to hit Easter Sunday services and maximise the destruction.
It appears intelligence services warned of pending attacks, but those warnings were not passed on. Security at Easter services seems to have been lax.
Release’s Andrew Boyd has been talking to James Maidment-Fullard of Trans World Radio UK…
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Release partners in Sri Lanka are working hard to help in the crisis. They say all their staff are safe. They have appealed for calm and for prayer from Christians around the world – especially for those grieving the loss of loved ones.
Release has been providing updates to the media throughout the crisis, posting breaking news online, and has been putting out calls for prayer.