Obtaining overview of Norwegians in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Church Easter terror attackSri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. A Sri Lanka hospital spokesman says several blasts on Easter Sunday have killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

UD is obtaining an overview of Norwegians in Sri Lanka

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Eriksen Søreide (Conservatives), describes the attacks on Sri Lanka as cruel and cowardly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) is still working to get an overview of any Norwegians affected.

 


“We have no indications that Norwegians are affected by the attacks so far, but it is a difficult situation. We will work throughout the evening with mapping Norwegians in the area and will assist if anyone who needs it,” The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs tells NTB.

There are about 400 Norwegians who have registered as travellers in Sri Lanka, according to Søreide.

“They received a message from us early this morning. We encourage everyone who has the opportunity to contact their relatives to tell them that they are safe. If that is the case,” she informs.

She asks Norwegians who are currently located in Sri Lanka to take advice from local authorities:

“We, as always, encourage people to stay as calm as possible and not to seek out large crowds.”

 

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More than 190 killed in six attacks

“More than 190 persons have been reported killed in the attacks so far. The attacks were made against three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday. Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the terror attacks,” the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence informs.

“This is a cruel and cowardly attack that affects people attending Easter service. Our thoughts go out to anyone who is affected by this in one way or the other,” she continues.

“It is also an illustration of the importance of combating all forms of extremism and terrorism. No matter who is behind this, it seems to be a well-coordinated attack,” she concludes.

The world community condemns the attacks

A number of countries condemned Sunday’s attacks, including India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“There is no place for this type of barbarism in our region,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Conservatives) calls the attacks abhorrent.

“I strongly condemn the abominable attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka this Easter morning. My thoughts go out to those who are affected and their relatives,” Solberg tweets.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemns the attacks. She draws parallels to the mosque attacks in Christchurch last month, where 50 people were killed.” Everybody has the right to practice their religion in safety,” she asserts.

Three killed in the eighth explosion in Sri Lanka

Three police officers were killed in an eighth explosion when a suicide bomber set off a bomb into a house in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, according to Sri Lankan police.

“The suicide bomber triggered a bomb as the police entered a house in the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of Colombo. The top floor collapsed. Three police officers perished in the explosion,” a police officer states.

The Police reported shortly before that of a seventh explosion in the suburb of Dehiwala in the south of the capital. A BBC reporter informs that it took place in a small hotel opposite Dehiwala Zoo. Two persons were killed by the explosion, according to the police.

Sri Lankan Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardena, introduces curfew with immediate effect after Sunday’s attacks. The curfew covers the whole country and lasts from 6 pm on Sunday to 6 am Monday, local time.


© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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