Updated 1.00 pm: On Thursday (25th April), health officials in Sri Lanka backtracked, saying the date toll could actually be almost one-third lower than the earlier number. A more accurate death toll might be closer to 250.
Updated 11.00 am – The death toll has increased to 310, police said on Tuesday.
Updated 9.45 am – 290 people were killed by Monday morning with 500 have been injured, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said. He also said 24 suspects are currently in the CID custody.
Updated 7.00 pm – 207 people were killed and 450 others injured the police spokesman, Ruwan Gunasekera told media a short while ago. “The government has imposed police curfew and shut down social media and messaging services, he further said.
Updated 12.00 pm – 138 people have been killed and 402 wounded, the Director of Colombo National Hospital Dr. Anil Jasinghe told media a short while ago.
At least 130 people were killed and 402 wounded, in a hate-filled attacks targeting three churches and three five-star hotels in Sri Lanka.
The explosions happened almost simultaneously between 8.30 am and 9.00 am at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, Colombo and St. Sebastian’s Church in Nigombo and Zion Church in Batticaloa.
Explosions were also reported at three five-star hotels, the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury in Colombo.
K A Sumanasekera / April 21, 2019
19A is working well to look after out Nation and the Inhabitants..
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Thanks to Ven Sobitha, Dr Ranil, Mr Managala , Dr Rajitha and even Mr Sirisena..
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Manisekaran / April 22, 2019
Hey oldman dont you have even basic decency to observe peace in this disastrous situation. Rest in peace for departed souls and condemn this terrorist attacks.
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Amila / April 21, 2019
This again shows the failure of this president and government in providing safety to its citizens. They were not aware of the attacks and was not even ready to handle a disastrous situation. A sad day in Srilanka
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paul / April 21, 2019
So they were suicide bombers. Who has ever heard of a Sinhala Buddhist suicide bomber?
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Champa / April 22, 2019
paul
Since when Thawfeek Jamal embraced Buddhism?
Thawfeek Jamal – It is not I who said it. It is the Indian reporters of CNN who recognized the man at Shangri-La.
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Truth / April 22, 2019
The Cinnamon Grand suicide bomber has been identified as Mohamed Azzam Mohamed.
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Amarasiri / April 22, 2019
Truth,
Mohamed Azam Mohamed will go to Hell and enjoy eternal Hell Fire , instead of Heaven, per prescient Hadith, for following Satan. Google Hadith of Najd.
However, any remaining Satan followers should be rounded up, given hard labor for life. and saved from eternal hellfire.
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Mano / April 22, 2019
Hey !
Ariya Buddha Sinhalayo and my Countrymen!
I have not come to praise the unworthy Attackers nor the Praiseworthy Patriots.
But I have a question to the Patriotic, Nationalist and Noble Intelligentia and that is, why no such Cries of Horror, Democratic and Human rights Violations never heard when the Araly St Peter’s cathedral and hundreds of other Places of worship in the North and East were bombarded, and shelled with thousands of unsuspecting public of all ages and sex blown to pieces with their flesh and blood strewn in the air?
Why no cries for justice for the nearly 200,000 dead and buried in places like Chemmany, Mannar, and Mullivaikaal is not forthcoming?
Why no release of the Political Detainees incarcerated even after 10 years of the so called end of the war on Tamils ?
Is it due to Selective Amnesia or Selective Justice we prefer or suffer?
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thamizh / April 22, 2019
Mano
Same…not to belittle the suffering of those affected at this time but can’t help to notice the hypocrisy of some. these are the same that kept quiet when places of worship, including churches, where Tamil civilians took refuge were bombed by sri lankan military and christian priests were disappeared by the same. they were just collateral damage in their just war, whose deaths were normalized as opposed to those carried out by non-state actors. i believe it is important to not get too carried away by this discourse and give some thought to the repercussions of these attacks, especially for Tamils/Muslims, as well.
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Real Revolutionist / April 22, 2019
Mano
Please add to the list those killed in bomb blasts throughout the country, on bus/railway stations, highway, buses, temples etc. set by your pet terrorists.
Main culprits are always terrorists.
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Amarasiri / April 22, 2019
Mano,
Why?
The self-interest of those in power and double standards, of the Sinhala. Same with LTTE.
However, one should condemn this covertly act and other cowardly acts committed by the others.
Just look at the Double Standards if the West. The Double Standards if the Saudi-UAE alliance In Yemen.
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Real Revolutionist / April 22, 2019
Ah; in the meantime, one is trying to outshine another.
Who is the real head of the state?
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Mallaiyuran / April 22, 2019
When Muslims died in New Zealand, Prime Minister wore Burqa. New Zealand Christians wore Muslim dresses. Will Hakeem, Rishard, Ranil, New King show same kind of gesture to Christians & Catholics? . I am not ridiculing New Zealanders. I am asking a serious question from Lankawe politicians! (there is no point in Hindus doing it as Tamil Hindus and Christians always cross dress & celebrate cross festivals)
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Amarasiri / April 22, 2019
Mallaiyuran,
Sri Lankan Muslims should show their Disgust at the Devil Satan following Wahhabi Salafies and their clones such as ISIS , Iblisic State, by Discarding the Black Hijab and Abaya, and getting back to the saree and the Salvar Kameez .
They also need to make the statement, citing the prescient Hadith of Najd, and say all the Walkabi-Salafies are Satanis, not Muslims.
Press the ACJU, that kicks the ass of the Wahhabis to do that.
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paul / April 24, 2019
Malli I always suspected you were a cross dresser. Why don’t you take the final step and have the operation?
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Kugan / April 22, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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Umberto Gui / April 22, 2019
Champa
It appears you are really sick. When people are mourning you are talking rubbish as usual. Evidence will show it is a terrorist attack by initiated by Gota.
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Sanathdes / April 22, 2019
Umberto goo: Keep hallucinating, nutcase. What a joker your are.
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Lenonard / April 22, 2019
Umberto Gui
“When people are mourning you are talking rubbish”
So you already know ‘Who and Why did this.
Your comment proves you are a ILL INFORMED SELF SERVING NARCISSISTIC HEARTLESS SELF PROMOTING MORON.
You are the opposite of your alias of your name Umberto a coward..
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K.Anaga / April 22, 2019
Lenonard!
An act to be condemned without hesitation. The Shakthi TV was on the run without a stop. Good work.
How many Srilankans and the people in the world shed tears for the massacre of the innocence at Nanthi Kadal. Is is it because there was no witness and TV’s were not allowed to broad cast?
Now some wants foreign assistance to find out the culprits behind the blasts. What about the Nanthikadal blasts? Are religions really necessary for mankind. Animals live happily with their kind without any religion. They don’t kill in the name of God.
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Champa / April 22, 2019
Umberto Gui
What rubbish? How could telling the truth be talking rubbish?
Evidence is already there of the involvement of the government, with the full knowledge of the President.
As I said in my very first comment, both Ranil and Maithri want to postpone the Presidential election. Ravi or Managala or both could be the mastermind. Wasn’t Mangala in USA last week?
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Amarasiri / April 22, 2019
Ad .
“Maybe it is time that laws are enforced on religions to denounce violence or murder in the name of god.”
Are they killing in the name of God, or in the name of the Devil, Satan, Iblis,?
However, this tragedy, may be geopolitical , if not religious ideology based.
The Wahhabi-Salafies and their clones are killing in the Name of Satan, Devil, per prescient Hadith of Najd.
Scholar from al-Azhar: Wahhabism is a Satanic Faith, the Horn of the Devil that Muhammad Predicted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UDy_apXW3E
How to debate with the so called Wahhabi-Salafiyyah who follow the Satan.
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Mallaiyuran / April 22, 2019
Amare,
Last 2 to 3 thousand years of human history is only about violence created by religions. It appears USSR was correct on being atheist state rather than being like other secular or religious state. Periyar or you may be more correct, perhaps, than we who talked about secularism or agnostic.
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Kettikaran / April 23, 2019
Mallaiyuran
Today Russia is an Eastern Orthodox Christian State – almost.
Former KGB Colonel Vladimir Putin is a church-goer. China is no longer anti-religion although the State still fears the
potential influence of religion, notably Christian, on the nearly billion voters. Inter-religious wars now are far fewer than in the pre-19th century period. There is friendly relations between the Christian/Catholic Churches, the Muslims and the Hindus – the 3 religions with the largest followers.
Violence is not the exclusive creation of peaceful religions.
Political greed is.
Kettikaran
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SAM / April 22, 2019
All suspectors are Muslim so far. What to wait, this should be a result of Muslim terrorism. They have shown the power by killing Catholics and foreigners.
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Douglas / April 22, 2019
I have read through hundreds of comments with a view to gather some information and make a study of the “Environment” of the tragedy that took place in Churches and Tourist Hotels. Interestingly, a “FEW’ just a “FEW” comments made me interesting because those “FEW” came so close to my understanding. I am some what convinced that this is the “GROSS RESULT” , remember not the “NET RESULT” of a “ROCK THE BOAT” engagement carried out by the Security Forces of Sri Lanka against the “DRUG MAFIA”. In that “Infant” stage of the engagement, several “Key Facts” have thrown “LIGHT” on the huge “MONEY LAUNDERING” business and the “KEY FIGURES” mainly connected to and nurtured by the “POLITICAL FIGURES”. The key factor in changing and controlling the political face of the country is in “MONETARY DEALS” that are disbursed in foreign currency that which was openly displayed at the “October 26th” change of Government. Already a “CARTEL” is in operation and supposedly “Head Quartered” in Dubai. By now, we know an “Ordinary” hardly “Educated” human being by the name “Madush” is “In-Charge” of an “Operation” that has “Terrorized” the country and “Changed” the social order. Can he do it alone? No “BIG WIGS” of all shades (political & professional) are in it. What is remaining to be done is a “CHANGE” in the entire “Political Culture” and “Set Up”. This could be seen through magnifying the “Behind the Curtain” activities that are in place already. Hope the “Investigative Machinery” could open the lid. That “BIN” contains all the “HIGH” and “LESS” of the Government, Opposition & other Functionaries affiliated with them. Keep an “EYE” on the events to follow.
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Thassim / April 22, 2019
In Batticoloa, please note most Catholics are Tamil. These well coordinated attacks targeted both Sinhales, and Tamils who were Christian. Attacks on hotels probably used the same logic. Hate of Christians by brainwashed jihadis, and to drive fear and damage the economy. The nexus between major Muslim Drug dealers and these Jihadi radicals should be examined. They can bribe crooked law enforcement officials. All suspects are Muslims. Looks like an ISIS inspired Jihadi attack. The signature of extremely coordinated timings is indicative of ISIS.
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Lester / April 22, 2019
The attack is similar to the one in Mumbai. In the Mumbai attacks, the targets were Jews and foreigners. In the Sri Lankan attack, the target has been Christians and foreigners. The hotels were selected because of the presence of Westerners (foreigners)., in order to scare off tourists. The churches were probably selected because there were a large number of people in one place, which would cause maximum casualties. I don’t think the culprit is ISIS, more likely it is a homegrown outfit inspired by Wahhabi ideology. ISIS does not get along with some of the other extremist Islamic groups. For example, ISIS is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Similarly, Al Qaeda operates independently of ISIS. The ISIS presence is spreading, but we should not confuse every attack with ISIS.
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Radical Ideas / April 22, 2019
Yo Intelligent Bambino, Wahhabism, ISIS, Al Qaeda etc are all created for a reason by the Zionist cabal. The British Empire dismantled the Ottoman empire and chosen Ibn Saud to capture power with the Wahhabism as the tool to control the masses in the newly captured territory. ISIS was well protected by the Israel to cause mayhem in the Muslim lands. Al Qaeda was created by the CIA to create the Mujaheddins to fight the Soviets. So, when you blame any of these criminals, pls mention their masters in the Western Zionist establishment.
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Lester / April 22, 2019
Yes, the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire created many fake states in the Middle East. And led the Westerners to control oil/petroleum resources in that part of the world. In addition to the creation of Israel. However, ISIS is not a Zionist creation. The reason for ISIS: when the USA invaded/occupied Iraq, a Shiite puppet government was put in place. ISIS was able to exploit this power imbalance. Al Qaeda was armed and funded by the USA yes, but Bin Laden did not accept the presence of kufirs so close to Mecca. That was the reason for the attacks in New York City. Lastly, it should be noted there is a power imbalance in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia and Iran both vying for dominance. Since Iran is an enemy of Israel, the West supports Saudi Arabia virtually unconditionally. Saudi Arabia funds many radical Wahhabi terror groups around the world, but the West looks the other way, since the Western economies are dependent on OPEC oil. So there is a simple way to curtail the power of Saudi. Make Iran strong, but the West will not pursue this avenue, given the Iran/Hezbollah nexus.
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Chitra / April 22, 2019
ISIS has been weakened and defeated. Why should they pick on this small nation, to commit this horrendous crime? ISIS has been supported by Saudi Arabia, where many of them have been recruited from, and Israel helps the wounded terrorists when they are injured in Syria. There is more to this than meets the eye.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO THE RADICALIZATION OF MUSLIM MEN WHO ARE “GENEROUSLY” GIVEN SCHOLARSHIP TO SAUDI ARABIA, AND COME BACK BRAINWASHED.
There has to be outside backing and influence for this despicable act to be committed.
These young men are stupid fools, who are used as tools by those sitting in comfort in air-conditioned homes, and ordering these idiots to kill themselves, while they live the good life.
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kumar / April 22, 2019
Sri lanka is a wonderful country. Very beautiful. Buddist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian are living together.
It is a small island with a lot of good aspect such as free education, social welfare, free medical etc many unimaginable thinks in Sri lanka even in these modern days. Compulsory religious education till grade 10.
But Sinhala youths uprising occurred during 1970 and 80s and lost the life of more than 50 k
Tamil youths freedom struggled cost about 300 k life for 3 decades.
Now Muslim extremist are damaging the nation.
why these think happening when compared to other countries in Sri lanka
some fundamental mechanism is lacking to understand people grievance and genuinely address to it.
alertness and pro acting tendency of law enforcement authority is badly lacking.
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K A Sumanasekera / April 22, 2019
Did you watch Dr Ranil’s address to the Nation?.
He said he heard about the impending attacks..
Now I know his Minister Harin told the truth that his dear old dad told him to not to go to Church on Easter Sunday.
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I also read that Dr Ranil’s hand picked IGP Pujitha wrote a Report about an impending Terrorist Act. as far as 10 days ago..
How come Dr Ranil and his Cabinet did not take any Action to warn the inhabitants to stay away from Churches during Easter Break , just like the way Dr Ranil’s Cabinet Minister’s dad did to save his son?.
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The majority who died and injured in the Attacks are the Poor Sinhala and Poor Tamil Catholics in Colombo and Batticolo.
Do they or their relatives understand English?..
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paul / April 22, 2019
Do not worry, Ranil will appoint a commission…….
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kumar / April 22, 2019
Since a lot of life lost due to JVP, LTTE and now Muslim, Government, and people need to understand the underlying issues in Sri Lanka. for that truth and reconciliation commission need to be commissioned. this could investigate the incidents from 1948 and address the underlying issues. Based on that it can give genuine recommendation to prevent it from happening again and again.
Ratha than being a firefighter, government and people need to look for root cause and address it genuinely. same time never ever compromise on the defence of the country in any form.
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Watson / April 22, 2019
Does anyone else see a “connection” between the protest march organized by the Catholic Church recently, against the drug mafia and the terror attacks?
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dayal / April 22, 2019
authorities, pl. look into the madush factor as stated above. recently that factor has lost everything and capable of retaliating. this point was made by very ordinary observers worth trying.
-dayal
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Eagle Eye / April 22, 2019
Harin Fernando told in a press briefing that his father who is in a hospital during the last ten days called him on the day before the attack and told him not to go to church because there is a possibility of an attack. Questions:
1. How did Harin’s father come to know about a possible attack to tell his son not to go to the church?
2. What action did Harin take to prevent this happening?
3. Did CID questioned Harin’s father?
4. Was this discussed at the Security Council meeting held weekly?
5. If so what action the President and PM took?
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This Government is a total failure. Please go.
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Truth / April 22, 2019
The Cinnamon Grand suicide bomber has been identified as Mohamed Azzam Mohamed. He is a Muslim. Stop shooting the messenger. Reveal the truth. Otherwise people lose trust.
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Asitha / April 22, 2019
Terrorism has No religeon..
Please dont call it Muslim terrorism.
Many commentors in CT are dedicated to spread religeous hatred against muslims and Buddhists.
ALL who died are our own brothers and sisters.
R I P
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / April 22, 2019
The Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan government and authorities, were deliberately turning a blind eye and even encouraging , Wahhabi Islamic terrorism , illegal land grabbing and ethnic cleansing activities ,against the island’s Tamils , especially in the east and parts of the north The Tamils are the original and native population in the east but with Sri Lankan government encouragement and funds from certain fundamentalist Islamic states, the Tamils who are still the largest population in the east , were getting increasingly marginalised and were becoming slaves in their own land and the east was being fast converted to some sort of pathetic Wahhabi Arab clone land by these fake Arab, South Indian origin Dravidian converted Indian Tamil immigrant Muslims , who only arrived in the Hindu Tamil east , a few centuries ago as refugees fleeing persecution and were given refuge by the eastern Tamils.
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / April 22, 2019
Contd: Now with Sinhalese encouragement and funds from certain Gulf countries they have been successful in marginalising the indigenous Tamil Hindu/Christian population in the east. The TNA won the most amount of votes in the east but a Tamil was denied the chief ministership , due the Sinhalese parties, later Sirisena who came to power due to Tamil votes. openly boasted that in order to teach the TNA and the Tamils are lesson , he has appointed a Muslim governor for the east, who is well known for his Islamic extremist views and was openly caught on video of boasting how he used his political powers to steal lands from a Hindu temple and donated it to a local mosque to develop it as a shopping mall and an abattoir for the benefit of the local Muslims. Just the spite the Tamils the Sinhalese were encouraging Islamic extremism in the east but they had far bigger plans , steal the east with Sinhalese help from its original Tamil owners and then use this as a springboard for their Wahhabi Islamic mission for the rest of the island. So far everything points out to some Islamic extremist group committing this revenge carnage. Now the Sinhalese are reaping the results of what they sowed. They thought the victims of these Islamic radicalisation will only be the Tamils and not them.
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Matilda Ellepola / April 22, 2019
anyone have an idea where is the damn Sira?
He was with Tirupathi Dewiyo last week in Telangana in India and then went on a sojourn in Singapore for the 2nd time in as many months,., probably for shopping and bring some of the loot from commisions.
Damn., this man is Minister of Defense and Minister of Law and Order (robbed from UNP after the MaRa+SiRa coup last year)
No acting minister for either portfolios was appointed and it looks like the country like a headless chicken now.. Im sure Sira will come and blame UNP for the attack and blah blah.
What is surprising is this is a private visit just for shopping for his Son’s wedding scheduled next week in Shagri-La which was attacked. How simple our Gamarala from Pollonnaruwa to have a 6 Star wedding in Shangra-La from the savings from his Grama Sevaka salary.
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K A Sumanasekera / April 22, 2019
Dr Ranil has to answer a lot about what happened to the Roman Catholics who perished at Kochchkade. Batticolo , Shangrila and elsewhere on Easter Sunday…
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When the Sinhala Buddhists pelted stones at the Methodist Church in Anuradhapura ,Dr Ranil was there in a Flash, assuring the Bishop that the UNP Police will provide every protection for Good Friday and Easter Sunday celebrations to protect the Congregation from Sinhala Buddhists in and around the Holy City..
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When the RAW instigated Intelligence Report on Jihadi attacks came to the Government , Dr Ranil’s spokesperson rejected it saying it is a Fake.
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Did the spokesperson reject it on his own . Or was he instructed to reject it.
If latter is the case, who gave the authorization to reject it l as a Fake ?..
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Or they rejected it, thinking it will be another attack like Anuradapura . And Dr Ranil can rush to Kochikade and assure that he is going to be their Guardian as well the Security Guard, in the same way as he promised the Methodist Bishop Perera in Anuradhapura….
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bethune / April 22, 2019
it is very sad to say all these were muslims
i humbly apologise for the dastardly act done by heartless ruthless men
i wonder why the warning letter went unheeded and as the first bomb explodwd the warning letter was out
i am sad to live knowing how the victims families are undergoing immense trauma
its not jihad its evilness inspite of so many articles in the papers regarding these extremist it was ignored
they should keep being vigilant
i understand the hatred one will feel
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paul / April 22, 2019
Rubbish mate, you have nothing to apologise for. I think this is too big for even the Gnanasara types to exploit.
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Saman / April 22, 2019
Sirisena must be responsible for this tragic.
He must resign and go to Polonnaruwa.
Even though relevant authorities have briefed Sirisena about this threat in advance Sirisena left for Hindu Temple in India as a private trip.
People must assemble together and force him him to resign.
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Real Revolutionist / April 22, 2019
Saman
why only Sirisena?
He’s made the head by way of deception & attempt to make him puppet & enjoy country’s leadership is the main cause for all the issues.
Undo everything starting from 19A.
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bethune / April 22, 2019
i on behalf of the muslim community humbly apologize for thevruthless heartless evil manner they displayed.
i am heartbroken thinking of the plight and trauma the victims families are undergoing.
inspite of the warning letter why no action
as soon as thecfirst bomb exploded the letter was being circulated.prevention would have been most appreciated.
i understand the world hates us
we need to reform not bow down to money power killing
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Lanka Watch / April 22, 2019
As some one mentioned in this worthy column that this job could have been done by drug cartel to frighten the current Sri lankan govt.to stop targeting handlers of No.1 under hand business of drug dealing in the country and these horrific incidents are unrelated to religious/political problems prevailing in the country The easy target were the Tamils as even at St’ Anthony’s church, Colombo,the blast took place while the Tamil service was going on, so I heard and in Negombo, most of them were Tamil speakers in yester years. Fernandopulle became a Fernando and Rodrigopulle became a Rodrigo in Negombo, as Tamils started losing their rights in Sri lanka. The areas of attack were thoughtfully planned not to stir the Sinhala community in hard core areas. It is some luck that the communal forces worked late and could not put it down on LTTE and had they succeeded, by now Tamil homes will be on fire and blood bath would have commenced . The credit goes to the armed forces intelligence services and Police as they arrested the suspects so early and shut the avenues for communal forces to start some kind of trouble in the country and who ever the minister of Defense & Police is, should be complimented for having good officers in the armed forces, & Police, who were able to take swift actions and traced the suspects in double quick time, keeping their ears & eyes away from any interference from “Politocos”, unlike in 1983 black July riots, where the Police and armed forces did not take any action for 48 hours while the country was on fire under JR, as President..The minister is requested to have a tap on foreign nationals living in this country, who have ulterior motives to undermine the country’s progress after three decades of internal strife.
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Alan / April 22, 2019
Mallaiyuran..
Around 110 million people, foreign and domestic, were killed by Communist “democide” from 1900 to 1987
Re: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_killings_under_communist_regimes#Estimates
So long as Egoistic/Idiotic/Fanatic men are there, there will be always wars regardless or religiosity
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Upul Antonion Devapriya / April 22, 2019
This Government Has Already Proved That They are Utter Failures. 6.2 Million Voters To be Blamed
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Vanguard / April 22, 2019
The government and I mean Ranil, has admitted security lapses. So has Harin. You can’t blame a tiger for attacking, you should blame the zookeepers.
This group has been tracked for some time. The government will now take action and ensure security.
By the way you won’t win votes by attacking minorities we know this from last time.
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