(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Sri Lanka today marks the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday attack on 21 April 2019 that killed 269 people and injured more than 500 people.
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has requested people to observe a two-minute silence at 8.45 am on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Archbishop Jude Krishantha Fernando, Director of Mass Communications stated that a two minute silence will be observed at 08.45 this morning in memory of those killed and injured in the attack. Rev. Jude Krishantha Fernando also stated that the main service will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade.
The attack also killed 46 foreign nationals from 13 countries and Sri Lankan ambassadors to those countries have been invited to the service at the St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade, said Archbishop Jude Krishantha Fernando.
On the morning of April 21, 2019, Islamic extremists carried out a series of suicide bomb attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo.
Two main memorial services would be held at the St Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade and the St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, the two of the three churches attacked by the suicide bombers.
A large crowd gathered this morning for a special service at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya and the Air Force and the Police conducted a rigorous search of all the visitors. Strict security measures are being implemented around the church.
The Police Headquarters has instructed senior officers of all police stations to provide security to all churches islandwide today.
