On Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., an Islamic terrorist group launched a series of suicide bomb attacks targeting three Christian churches (St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Zion Church in Batticaloa) and three luxury hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Today (21) marks six years since this barbaric incident.
Concurrently, explosions were reported at a hotel in the Dehiwala area and a house in the Dematagoda area. Reports indicate that over 270 people were killed and more than 500 others were injured in these attacks.
“It has been six years since the Easter terrorist attacks”
To commemorate the 6th anniversary of this terrorist attack, a series of memorial programs have been organized today at Christian churches across the island to remember the deceased.
The main commemoration ceremony will be held at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, commencing at 8:30 a.m., according to the Director of Social Communications of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando. Religious leaders of all faiths, ambassadors, victims, and their relatives are scheduled to participate. At 8:45 a.m., all religious places will toll their bells, followed by a two-minute silence.
Furthermore, Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando added that in the afternoon at 5:30 p.m., His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith will announce the Holy See’s recognition of those who died in the terrorist attacks as witnesses of faith, and a memorial service will be held.
The police state that vehicular traffic will be restricted on several roads in the Kotahena area today (21).
Issuing a statement, the police mentioned that vehicular traffic will be restricted due to the procession from St. Lucia’s Church in Kotahena to St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade and the special service held at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade to commemorate the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. Accordingly, several roads in the weralabada Police Division will be temporarily closed intermittently from 7:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The police request the public to use alternative routes as much as possible to minimize potential traffic congestion.
