Sri Lanka Consulatela

News Updates Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: churches remained empty on Sunday

Like all churches in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, St Theresa, remained desperately empty on Sunday … While the threat remains high in Sri Lanka after the attack on hotels and churches that claimed the lives of 253 people on Sunday last, the authorities did not want to take any risks.

It is therefore in the chapel of the residence of the Archbishop of Colombo that Mass was held, in private, in the presence of the President and the Prime Minister, but it was broadcast live on television.

A ceremony during which the Archbishop of Colombo denounced the attacks as an “insult to humanity”.

The faithful, they pay homage to the victims. “Yes we have God with us, Jesus is with us, we have our deepest thoughts for those who left us in the explosions, we are there for them,” said this believer.

“After a week, I leave my house. We should not be afraid of the terrorists, or of anyone,” said the resident.

Maximum security

While schools will remain closed for another week, dozens of soldiers are deployed in the streets, in front of mosques and churches.

Authorities blamed the massacre on a local Islamist group affiliated with the Islamic State organization, which officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

Individuals suspected of being involved are tracked down and around 100 people have been arrested.

It was in this house that 3 suicide bombers were blown up when the police stormed on Friday.

15 people died in the assault, including the father and two brain brothers of the attack last Sunday.