Colombo - Easter Day bomb blasts at
three Sri Lankan churches and three hotels killed more than 20
people and wounded nearly 300, a hospital official and police
sources said.
Colombo National Hospital Director Samindi Samrakoon said
she knew of at least 20 deaths and 280 people injured.
A police spokesman said that three churches and three hotels
were hit.
At least two of the hotels and one of the churches are in
the capital, Colombo. Another church is in Negombo, north of
Colombo.
A source in the police bomb squad said that one of the
explosions was at St Anthony's Church in Kochcikade, Colombo.
"Our people are engaged in evacuating the casualties," the
source said.
St. Sebastian's church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo posted
pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page,
showing blood on pews and the floor, and requested help from the
public.
Sources from two leading tourist hotels in Colombo also
confirmed the explosions but did not give any details.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility.