People gathered outside the Church of St. Anthony where one of the explosions occurred in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Photo: IANS
People gathered outside the Church of St. Anthony where one of the explosions occurred in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: IANS
Colombo (IANS): A wave of bombings that killed 290 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday was carried out with the support of an international network, officials said.
The government has blamed a little-known local jihadist group, National Thowheed Jamath, although no-one has yet admitted carrying out the bombings.
Another 500 people were injured in the suicide attacks on churches and hotels, the BBC reported.
Police arrested 24 people in a series of raids and the president’s office declared a state of national emergency.
The emergency declaration, which comes into effect from midnight (18:30 GMT) on Monday, will give police and military extensive powers to detain and interrogate suspects without court orders.
On Monday, another blast rocked a street near a church in the capital, Colombo. Police were attempting to defuse explosives in a vehicle used by the attackers when it blew up.
Sri Lankan authorities were warned about a bomb threat from National Thowheed Jamath a full two weeks before the attacks, Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said at a press conference.
He said that the warnings were not passed on to the Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, or his cabinet. Wickremesinghe acknowledged that security services had been “aware of information” but had not acted on the information.
Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said that the intelligence “never indicated it was going to be an attack of this magnitude”.
“They were talking about isolated, one or two incidents. Not like this,” he said.
He said “all important departments of the police” were informed about the warning, but acknowledged that no action was taken.
Senaratne said that authorities believed the bombers had international support. “We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country,” he said, adding that there was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded.”
A later statement said President Maithripala Sirisena would ask for foreign help to track down the international links to the attackers.
“The intelligence reports [indicate] that foreign terrorist organisations are behind the local terrorists. Therefore, the president is to seek the assistance of the foreign countries,” his office said.
THE Sri Lankan police have arrested over two dozen persons in connection with Sunday’s serial bomb blasts in churches and hotels that killed 290 people and injured over 500, said a journalist. He also said that some of those arrested belonged to rich families.
“The police have said that about 25 people have been arrested and they belong to the Muslim community. Some of them are from rich families, driving luxury cars, which indicates radicalisation,” Arun Arokianathan, Consultant Editor, Athaavan TV, Colombo told IANS over the phone.
According to Arokianathan, schools in the country were expected to reopen later this week. “It was a holiday week in Sri Lanka with most people on vacation. The attackers took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere,” Arokianathan said.
VANCOUVER Police has identified a white Dodge Durango as a vehicle of interest in the city’s most recent homicide. Police are appealing to anyone with dash-cam video to call investigators.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m, on Tuesday, April 16, Manoj Kumar, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was shot and killed while sitting in a car in the area of West 4th Avenue and Burrard Street.
Vancouver Police said last week that based on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, this appeared to have been a targeted homicide. Constable Jason Doucette added: “Although it’s very early in the investigation and we are still working to identify a motive, I can confirm that Mr. Kumar was not known to police and does not have any obvious connections to a criminal lifestyle.”
Homicide investigators have seized a white Dodge Durango, which was found around midnight on the evening of the shooting, near West 22nd Avenue at Yew Street. The vehicle had been set on fire. The Durango had an older style roof rack, which can be seen in the attached photo from a surveillance camera.
Detectives believe that this white Dodge Durango is linked to the shooting and are appealing to anyone with dash-cam video from the evening of the shooting to call police.
Investigators are specifically interested in hearing from anyone with dash-cam who may have been driving in the Kitsilano and Arbutus areas on Tuesday, April 16 between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
“We are asking anyone with dash-cam to contact the VPD Homicide Unit as soon as possible as the video could be overwritten”, said Sgt. Jason Robillard on Monday. “Even the smallest piece of information can be crucial to the investigation.”
Anyone with dash-cam footage or any information about this homicide is asked to call the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
At St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 22, 2019.
(Xinhua/Wang Shen/IANS)
At St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Xinhua/Wang Shen/IANS)
Colombo (IANS): Five Indians are among the 290 people who have been confirmed dead in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka, as police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday confirmed that 24 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the island’s bloodiest attacks in a decade.
On Monday morning, the Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed the names of two more Indian victims.
“We sadly confirm the deaths of the following two individuals in the blasts yesterday: K.G. Hanumantharayappa, M. Rangappa,” the Mission said in a tweet.
The Monday morning tweet came after Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday night had confirmed the names of three other Indian nationals — Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh.
Meanwhile, Gunasekera also said that 500 people were injured and were admitted in various hospitals and medical facilities.
He said that the police has seized a van and its driver who is suspected of transporting the suspects into Colombo and also raided a safe house used by the attackers.
No group has yet claimed direct responsibility yet.
The first of the eight blasts took place on Sunday morning in three luxury hotels — Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-la, Kingsbury — in the heart of Colombo and in a church each in Colombo, Negombo, 30 km from here, and in the Tamil-majority Batticaloa town in the island’s east that was once a Tamil Tiger stronghold.
Later in the afternoon, another blast hit a guest house near the zoo in Dehiwala in Colombo, killing two persons, and a housing complex at Dematogoda in the city leaving three policemen dead.
People gathered outside the Church of St. Anthony where one of the explosions occurred in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Photo: IANS
People gathered outside the Church of St. Anthony where one of the explosions occurred in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: IANS
PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday said in a statement: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the devastating terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, which have claimed the lives of more than two hundred people and injured many hundreds more. On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I offer my heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and my hope for a full recovery to those injured.
“Canada strongly condemns these heinous attacks on hotels and Christians at prayer in churches. Places of worship are sacred, where all should feel safe and secure. No one should be targeted because of their faith.
“For millions of people around the world, Easter is a time to reflect on Jesus’ message of compassion and kindness—a time to come together with friends and family. We cannot let attacks like these weaken the hope we share.
“To the people of Sri Lanka and other communities affected by today’s attacks: Canada stands with you. We will continue to work with you and other international partners to combat terrorism and violent extremism and to promote greater peace and stability around the world.
“To date, we have no reports of any Canadian citizens being affected. Due to the current situation, our High Commission in Colombo will be closed on April 22. However, Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact sos@international.gc.ca or call +1 613 996 8885.”
Security staff stand on guard outside the St. Anthony’s Church where a blast took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo: Xinhua)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement: “The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter morning. Attacks on innocent people gathering in a place of worship or enjoying a holiday meal are affronts to the universal values and freedoms that we hold dear, and demonstrate yet again the brutal nature of radical terrorists whose sole aim is to threaten peace and security.
“The United States offers our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wishes a quick recovery to all who were injured. While many details of the attacks are still emerging, we can confirm that several U.S. citizens were among those killed. The U.S. Embassy is working tirelessly to provide all possible assistance to the American citizens affected by the attacks and their families.
“These vile attacks are a stark reminder of why the United States remains resolved in our fight to defeat terrorism. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they confront violent extremism and have offered our assistance as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
IANS reports:
At least 207 people were killed and 469 injured when eight suicide bombings, mainly in Colombo, ravaged Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island’s bloodiest day since the civil war ended a decade ago. Four Indians, two of them women. were among the dead while some others had a narrow escape.
Sri Lanka declared a nationwide curfew and placed curbs on social media to kill fake news after suicide bombers carried out a string of well-planned explosions targeting luxury hotels and Catholic churches in Colombo and elsewhere, triggering international outrage.
The first of the eight blasts took place in the morning in three luxury hotels in the heart of Colombo and in a church each in Colombo, Negombo, 30 km from here, and in the Tamil-majority Batticaloa town in the island’s east that was once a Tamil Tiger stronghold.
In the afternoon, another blast hit a guest house near the zoo in Dehiwala in Colombo, killing two persons, and a housing complex at Dematogoda in the city leaving three policemen dead.
A total of 27 foreigners, including four Indians and also people from Turkey, the US, Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal and China, perished in the mayhem.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, quoting official reports from Colombo, identified the Indians as Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh.
The fourth was a Kerala woman holidaying in Colombo. P.S. Razeena, 58, had arrived there along with her husband to meet their relatives engaged in business there and was staying at one of the three hotels targeted by suicide bombers.
Razeena and her husband, who hail from Kerala’s Kasargode, lived in Dubai.
Many Indians, including noted Indian Tamil actress Radikaa Sarathkumar and a party of businessmen from Andhra Pradesh’s Anantpur, had a narrow escape. Radikaa tweeted that she was staying at the Cinnamon Grand, located near the official residence of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, and had just left it prior to the blast there.
Authorities said a total of eight suspects had been arrested but gave no further details.
Officials and survivors painted a horrific picture of what happened.
Kieran Arasaratnam, who was staying in the Shangri-La, one of the three hotels that were targeted, said he heard what sounded like a “thunder”, forcing him to sprint all the way down from the 17th floor, BBC reported.
He saw the second floor restaurant gutted and realized he was alive only because he delayed his breakfast.
In Cinnamon Grand, survivors said that a suicide bomber had joined the line at the breakfast buffet and detonate the explosives.
Member of European Parliament, Nirj Deva, said he had just arrived at one of the hotels after the blast and saw scenes of carnage all around.
The bloodbath started around 8.30 a.m. at the St Anthony’s Shrine at Kochchikade in Colombo during Easter Mass where one man said he heard a booming explosion and saw virtually the whole roof come crashing down. “We just ran,” he told the media.
The other places hit were St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, the Zion Church in Batticaloa, 250 km east of Colombo, and the Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotels.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the roof of one church had been almost fully blown away in the blast. The floor was littered with a mixture of roof tiles, splintered wood and blood, media reports said.
Many people could be seen covered in blood. Some helped those with more serious injuries. Ambulances, their sirens wailing, rushed the dead and seriously injured to hospitals — once a familiar sight in Colombo.
Minister of Economic Reforms Harsha de Silva described the carnage. “Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over,” he said.
No one claimed responsibility for the bloodbath but AFP reported that Sri Lankan Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara had issued a nationwide alert 10 days ago warning that suicide bombers planned to hit prominent Catholic churches.
The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted the findings of initial investigations as saying that the first six major blasts were caused by suicide bombers and added that two of them had checked a day earlier into the Shangri-La Hotel.
It said that the investigators who broke into Room No 616 “had recovered materials used by radical” Islamist extremists. The Mirror said it was not clear if the bombers were Sri Lankans or foreigners.
The government declared a state of emergency, imposed indefinite curfew across the nation and temporarily blocked Facebook and Instagram to curb the spread of fake news. All schools were ordered shut until Tuesday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on phone with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, called the terror attacks “cold-blooded and pre-planned” barbarism and offered all help from New Delhi.
Condemnation was fast and swift from across the world: China, the US, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pope Francis, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Ireland, Britain, Germany, Singapore, the Philippines, Israel, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Egypt, New Zealand, Canada and the European Commission denounced the killings.
A Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, V. Thanabalasingham, told IANS that a sense of panic had gripped Colombo, which had given up its overbearing security cover ever since the Tamil Tigers were crushed in May 2009, leading to a decade of peace.
President Sirisena urged the public to be calm and cooperate with the authorities to conduct swift investigations into the blasts. “I am shocked and saddened by the situation.”
AFP said a foreign intelligence agency had reported that the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), a Muslim group blamed for attacks on Buddhist shrines, was planning to carry out suicide attacks against prominent churches as well as the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
Although Christians form only around 7 per cent of Sri Lanka’s mainly Buddhist population, they are found both in the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil communities.
New York (IANS): The United States denounced the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka as an affront to universal values and confirmed that many of its citizens were among the victims.
Washington “condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka”, US President Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Sunday.
“We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.”
Earlier, President Donald Trump tweeted: “We stand ready to help” Sri Lanka.
“The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “We can confirm that several US citizens were among those killed. The US Embassy is working tirelessly to provide all possible assistance to the American citizens affected by the attacks and their families.”
He added: “Attacks on innocent people gathering in a place of worship or enjoying a holiday meal are affronts to the universal values and freedoms that we hold dear, and demonstrate yet again the brutal nature of radical terrorists whose sole aim is to threaten peace and security.”
In New York City, police department Chief Terence Monahana said, in a tweet, that although there was no known connection to city, police “officers will be seen at temples & churches as we remain steadfast in our mission to keep every New Yorker safe”.
Sympathy for the victims and outrage over terrorism poured in from US politicians on Twitter.
Former US President Barack Obama tweeted that the attacks “are an attack on humanity”.
“Today’s heartbreaking attacks in Sri Lanka come as the country has worked hard to build a common future after years of war”, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat tweeted.
Former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: “On this holy weekend for many faiths, we must stand united against hatred and violence.”
Republican Senator Mitt Romney tweeted: “As we celebrate the miracle of Easter, we hold in our hearts the victims of the senseless violence in Sri Lanka and their loved ones. We pray that they may experience God’s eternal grace, comfort, and love.”
Aspirants for the Democratic Party’ presidential nomination joined the wave of sympathy.
“On a day devoted to love & peace, may we remember Jesus Christ’s message of love – for God & for each other – as we commit to defeating hate with love,” tweeted Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu American.
Senator Kamala Harris tweeted: “I am horrified by the attacks in Sri Lanka, where so many families were celebrating such a joyous day. Praying for the victims and their loved ones.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted: “To slaughter worshipers at church during Easter service is an act of great evil.”
“No person should have to fear for their life in their place of worship,” tweeted Bernie Sanders. “We must work to bring this world together around our common humanity.”
(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)
VOICE photographer Sukhwant Singh Dhillon captured the spirit of Surrey’s Vaisakhi celebration organized by Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar on a gorgeous, sunny Saturday.
VANCOUVER Police said on Saturday evening that they did not have any major incidents reported to them during this year’s 4/20 event at Sunset Beach. However, police were kept busy managing the crowd throughout the event.
Just before 4:30 p.m., the crowd peaked to approximately 60,000 people and there were about 400 vendor tents set up at Sunset Beach.
“Today was a good example of remarkable teamwork between the Vancouver Police, fellow first responders, the Vancouver Park Board, and the City of Vancouver, allowing for a safe environment during a large scale event,” said Sgt. Jason Robillard.
VPD officers assisted BC Emergency Health Services with more than 14 medical emergencies. Traffic enforcement officers issued more than 30 tickets and investigated three people for impaired driving.
ORLANDO, FL – Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell 1-0 to Orlando City SC on Saturday afternoon after a late, deflected goal from longtime Portuguese international Nani.
In the 88th minute, Brazilian right back Ruan played a cross into the box that was met at the penalty spot by Sacha Kljestan, whose first-time attempt deflected off the shin of Nani, through the legs of ‘Caps centre back Erik Godoy, and into the bottom left corner.
It was an unfortunate bounce for the visitors, who were playing their third match in the last nine days following a 1-1 away draw with Chicago Fire on April 12, and a midweek win over league-leading LAFC at BC Place.
As a result, head coach Marc Dos Santos made five changes to his starting lineup, as well as a switch to a 5-3-2 formation featuring a forward partnership of Fredy Montero and Yordy Reyna. Notably, Zac MacMath got the nod between the posts to make his official Whitecaps FC debut.
The Florida native, who was credited with three saves, commanded his box well throughout the afternoon. At the end of the first half, he stymied João Moutinho at the near post after the second-year left back went for goal from the top corner of the six-yard box. He also did well to parry away a dangerous cross-shot from Nani at the hour-mark.
In front of him, the ‘Caps back line made a number of well-timed blocks and clearances, including a pair of last-ditch attempts from former Orlando right back Scott Sutter.
Vancouver’s best chance of the match came in the 72nd minute. After a wonderfully-worked build-up with Montero and Reyna, Inbeom Hwang missed the frame with a sliding attempt from the top of the six-yard box. Reyna also had a few late attempts, but could not find an equalizer.
As part of MLS Works Greener Goals Week of Service, all MLS clubs wore special adidas x Parley eco-friendly kits, made from recycled marine plastic waste, this Earth Day Weekend.
Next up for Whitecaps FC is an afternoon home date with Philadelphia Union next Saturday, April 27 at BC Place (2 p.m. PT kickoff on TSN and TSN 1040 radio – tickets still available).
MATCH DETAILS
WFC Man of the Match: Yordy Reyna Referee: Alan Kelly Attendance: 22,468
A South Asian pre-wedding ceremony on Friday evening ended in chaos when a deck collapsed at a rented Aldergrove building in the area of 268th Street and 58th Avenue, resulting in 30-40 people receiving injuries. Some 19 of those injured were taken to various hospitals and one of them had to be airlifted, according to media reports. The injured included a two-year-old kid.
Rich Coleman, MLA for Langley East, turned up at the scene to make sure that people were taken care of.
PAKISTANI-CANADIAN organizations announced on Friday that they raised more than $300,000 on March 24’s fundraising event in Surrey for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams in Pakistan. Over 1,000 people of the Pakistani-Canadian community and their allies attended the event.
A total of $339,148 was collected and after deducting expenses of $31,548, they were left with $307,600.
The organizations sent a detailed report on the funds they collected and steps they took to maintain the integrity of their fundraising.
They said: “The finance committee is composed of respectable members from all the collaborating organizations so that everything is transparent to all organizations involved.” The members:
Farzana Alam -Pakistani Canadian Women Society
Waqar Khan -Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association of BC
Asad Syed – Friends of Pakistan Canada Association, I Am Pakistan Worldwide Movement BC Chapter
Aamir Bajwa -I Am Pakistan Worldwide Movement
Furquan Gehlen – Independent, Finance committee lead
Regarding the process of selling tickets, they noted:
Tickets were sold at prices ranging from $50 to $800.
Receipts were issued for all tickets sold prior to the event.
We have a record of all ticket sales prior to the event.
Tickets sold at the event did not get individual receipts and we created one receipt for all tickets sales from the event day for internal reconciliation purposes.
We have a record of all ticket sales on event day.
Regarding donation collection process, they pointed out:
* High Commission Staff handled all credit card donations:
o They used their credit cards machines.
o They issued their own receipt.
o We entered all transactions in our master spreadsheet.
o All funds went directly into the High Commission account.
* High Commission Staff received all cheque donations:
o We accepted the cheques and wrote out a receipt. White copy went to donor, yellow copy was attached to the cheque, and pink copy retained for our records.
o We entered all transactions in our master spreadsheet.
o They took cheques with them at the end of the event.
o All funds went directly into the High Commission account.
* All cash was received by Finance Committee members or our volunteers:
o A receipt was issued for cash donations. White copy went to donor, yellow and pink copy was retained for our records.
o All funds went directly into the Dam Fundraising Vancouver account.
o Cheque issued to High Commission account equivalent to cash donations received.
* Regarding their internal audit, they said: “We have gone above and beyond typical checks and controls for fundraising events done in our community,” noting:
We issued receipts for tickets to the event.
We issued receipts for all donations.
We have a paper trail for all transactions with no known exceptions.
The finance committee has respectable members from all the collaborating organizations so that everything is transparent to all organizations involved.
The finance committee did an exhaustive internal audit to reconcile all tickets sales, sponsorships and donations.
SURREY-NEWTON MP Sukh Dhaliwal launched a video on Friday honouring the contributions that Sikhs have made to Canada and celebrating the Senate’s passing of his private member’s bill C-376, an “Act to designate April as Sikh Heritage Month.”
The bill was passed by the Senate unanimously on Thursday, April 11 and awaits royal assent.
For the past two years, Dhaliwal has been working tirelessly across political lines to adopt this legislation.
The video launches a day before close to half a million people descend on Dhaliwal’s riding of Surrey-Newton to observe the international Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi.
Canada is the first country to adopt formal legislation that declares April as Sikh Heritage Month.
Dhaliwal said he will be at the Vaisakhi Day Parade in Surrey-Newton, observing the holiday with family, friends, and constituents, celebrating the bill’s passing with them all.
