# Dozens killed in multiple Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842 "2019-04-21T07:08:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/1 "2019-04-21T07:08:51Z")
A country close to my heart. ☹ Having defeated the Tigers nearly 10 years ago, terror returns to the Pearl of the Orient. > **[Sri Lanka attacks: More than 200 killed as churches and hotels targeted](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48001720)** > > At least 207 people are killed and 450 hurt in eight blasts targeting churches and hotels. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/2 "2019-04-21T07:11:15Z")
News reports from Sri Lanka detail several bomb attacks on three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka. [Reuters is reporting](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-blast/easter-day-bombs-kill-138-in-attacks-on-sri-lankan-churches-hotels-idUSKCN1RX038) at least 138 dead and more than 400 wounded. Churches were bombed in Katuwapitiya north of the capital Colombo along the west coast of the island, in Kochcikade in the vicinity of Colombo, and in Batticaloa on the east coast. Three hotels, all in the vicinity of Colombo, were bombed as well. Story is developing. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/3 "2019-04-21T07:43:09Z")
[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sri-lanka-bombing-easter-sunday-explosions-rock-churches-hotels-today-2019-04-21/) cites a security official speaking on condition of anonymity that two of the church bombings may have been carried out by suicide bombers. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/4 "2019-04-21T07:44:51Z")
Whatever religion we’re talking about, it is sad when something as simple as getting together with your friends and neighbors can turn you into a martyr. My siblings and nephews were in the local celebration of the Resurrection just 40 minutes ago, in a few minutes I’ll be going down to Mass myself. And there’s people out there who think it’s all right and even desirable to kill others with the excuse that we name God by a different word, that we sing different hymns or pray in a different language ☹ Sri Lanka got new patron saints today. Wish it had not. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/5 "2019-04-21T08:14:59Z")
Duplicate thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=874368](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=874368) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/6 "2019-04-21T08:48:29Z")
God I hope it’s not the Tigers are back. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/7 "2019-04-21T09:51:04Z")
And it’s atrocities like this which bring out the best in people: > [@BBC](#): > > Colombo resident Usman Ali told the BBC there were massive queues as he joined people trying to donate blood. > > He said: “Everyone had just one intention and that was to help the victims of the blast, no matter what religion or race they may be. Each person was helping another out in filling forms.” His name indicates he’s a Muslim, yet he’s stepping up to help. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/8 "2019-04-21T10:56:31Z")
CNN headline reports [confirmation](https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/sri-lanka-easter-sunday-explosions-dle-intl/index.html) of 8th explosion. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/apr/21/sri-lanka-explosions-dozens-killed-and-hundreds-injured-in-church-and-hotel-blasts) reporting indicates explosions at four churches and four hotels, most in and around Colombo. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/9 "2019-04-21T11:02:27Z")
According to Trump, [millions dead.](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1119915768429387778) > [@](#): > > Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels \*\*that have killed at least 138 million people \*\*and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/10 "2019-04-21T11:08:55Z")
Please, let us not get US politics in this. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/11 "2019-04-21T11:17:22Z")
We have a couple from Sri Lanka that are members of our church. I hope that their families are OK. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/12 "2019-04-21T12:53:59Z")
This is horrible. It seems particularly horrible to target Christians on Easter. (Where would the political discussion of this event go? I assume that once we learn more about who did it, there will be political discussion.) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/13 "2019-04-21T13:30:24Z")
[An attack in Saudi Arabia too.](https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2019/04/21/Saudi-Arabia-foils-terrorist-attack-north-of-Riyadh.html) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/14 "2019-04-21T15:18:28Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Duplicate thread: > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=874368](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=874368) Merged two threads. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/15 "2019-04-21T15:28:28Z")
I’m totally uninformed about the political and religious situation in Sri Lanka. I see in the BBC article that Christians, most of them Roman Catholic, make up a few percent of the population. Have they been targeted by the Tamil Tigers in the past? I would have thought the Tigers would have targeted the Buddhist majority rather than the 1.5 million Christians. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/16 "2019-04-21T19:28:00Z")
Authorities found a six foot pipe bomb at the airport. I guess to murder survivors as they fled the other bombings? That bomb would have blasted a large area. It’s unfathomable that there are people that are capable of such destruction. > **[Bomb found in Sri Lankan airport hours after explosions kill 207](https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/21/bomb-found-sri-lankan-airport-hours-explosions-kill-207-9282530/)** > > It was discovered by air force personnel. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/17 "2019-04-21T23:29:49Z")
**AK84** , has Sri Lanka been relatively peaceful in the past ten years? Horrible news. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/18 "2019-04-22T00:11:20Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I would have thought the Tigers would have targeted the Buddhist majority rather than the 1.5 million Christians. The primary culprits in sectarian violence towards Christians have been majority Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists. Reason #58 why I’m always grimly amused at folks that consider [Buddhism inherently pacifistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_violence#Violence_against_religious_minorities). Buddhist nationalist nutjobs are also happy to attack Muslims as well, because y’know, the Muslims may be anti-Tamil Eelam as a whole but they’re still not good Sinhalese Buddhists as all good _real_ Sri Lankans should be. The Muslims kinda get it from both barrels. The Tigers DID launch a brief “ethnic” cleaning of sorts towards Tamil-speaking [local Muslim populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_of_Muslims_from_the_Northern_province_by_LTTE) in 1990 who were regarded as fifth columnists. Because there are [Tamils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Tamils), [different Tamils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Tamils_of_Sri_Lanka) and then [those other Tamils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Moors). ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/19 "2019-04-22T00:23:04Z")
Thanks, Tamerlane. Maybe the Buddhist nationalists are behind this as well. My wife’s parents are Indian Tamils from Bangalore. My wife was born and raised in the US. My wife doesn’t have strong feelings about the goings on there, and I try to avoid talking politics with my in laws. I don’t know if Indian Hindu Tamils have a dog in the fight. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842/20 "2019-04-22T00:59:41Z")
What denominations were these Christians? I saw on church called St.Anthonys, that could be Catholic, Anglican, or several others. I know a Sri Lankan couple, and I hope their family is OK. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dozens-killed-in-multiple-easter-sunday-blasts-in-sri-lanka/832842.md?page=2)