Bomb blasts in Sri Lanka abominable and cowardly act

Gul Zaman

Auckland, April 22, 2019

**Dead Bodies being carried away for identification in front of the St Anthony’s Church.**
**Photo: AFP Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto. By Arrangement with www.rnz.co.nz**

The news of the coordinated terrorist attacks on numerous Churches and Hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, just five weeks after the March 15, 2019 attacks in Christchurch, has created another wave of immense sadness and trauma amongst our ethnic community, particularly Sri Lankans, in New Zealand and worldwide.

The latest news suggest that nearly 300 people may have died and perhaps more than 500 people may have been wounded.

Unreserved condemnation

We unreservedly condemn killings of innocent people – men, women and children – whilst praying at their places of worship; as well as those innocent people who were in the hotels or other public places.

We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the affected families, and pray that the souls of the deceased may Rest in Peace and for early recovery of the wounded.

Our thoughts and prayers are also with everyone in Sri Lanka, here in Aotearoa, and all over the world, who have suffered, or are suffering, from inhumane actions of a few ‘animals.’

May the Almighty punish them in this world and the hereafter.

Stability damaged

Sri Lanka suffered from civil war for nearly three decades that ended nearly 10 years ago.

Since then, the diverse community had reconciled greatly to live in peace and harmony with one another.

Unfortunately, the stability established over the last decade has been severely damaged by these attacks. The sooner the culprits are apprehended and punished to the maximum, the better it will be to stabilise the situation.

For those of us here in New Zealand, my humble plea is this: Please make additional efforts and create a harmonious community, notwithstanding our ‘differences,’ whatever they may be.