Indonesia condemns terror attacks in Sri Lanka

JAKARTA

Indonesia strongly condemned deadly bombing attacks targeting churches and hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

"On behalf of Indonesian people, I wish to convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the people and government of Sri Lanka and all families of the victims," President Joko Widodo said on Twitter.

The terror attacks were also condemned by the Indonesian Ulema Council -- the country's highest clerical body -- and its leader Secretary General Anwar Abbas who said the bombings were disgraceful and callous acts.

"The MUI offers its condolences to the families of the victims and the injured. We hope the people and government of Sri Lanka stay vigilant and united against such acts of terrorism," Abbas said in a written statement released on Monday.

He also called on the world community to refrain from associating the attacks with any religion.

The MUI expressed hope that Sri Lankan security forces would arrest those responsible as soon as possible and punish them severely.

- China, Malaysia condole

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on late Sunday sent condolence messages to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

"I, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as myself, send my deep condolences to the victims, and my sincere sympathy to the injured and families of the victims," Xi said in a written statement.

Xi said the Chinese government would support Sri Lanka and its government's efforts to achieve national security.

Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah and its government condemned the incident.

“Malaysia strongly condemns the act of terrorism and urge that the perpetrators be brought to justice,” Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said.

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting, also condemned the vicious attack in Sri Lanka.

“Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & their mourning families, just as our support is with the government in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Ibrahim said on Twitter.

Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo condemned the attacks in Sri Lanka and said: “As we recall our recent commitment to boost ties with Sri Lanka and the warm relations between the leaders of our countries, we express our sincere solidarity and offer our heartfelt prayers to the citizens of Sri Lanka as well as to the other people who have been affected by this horrific attack on the churches and hotels in the said South Asian country on what should have been a day for solemn prayer and thoughtful introspection.”

A total of eight explosions -- six of them on Sunday morning and the remaining two later in the day -- were reported in and just outside the country’s capital Colombo.

In the morning, churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa cities, as well as Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand and Shangri La hotels in Colombo were targeted.

There has been a petrol bomb attack on a mosque in the northwestern district of Puttalum and arson attacks on two shops owned by Muslims in the western district of Kalutara on Sunday night, according to police reports.

So far, the death toll has risen to 290 people with over 500 people injured.