World denounces deadly bombings in Sri Lanka

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - The international community has reacted to Sunday’s bombings in Sri Lanka, which left at least 185 people dead hundreds of others wounded.

The bombings targeted eight different locations -- including churches where Christians were marking Easter Sunday -- and 5-star hotels in commercial capital Colombo.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack in the "strongest terms possible" in a written statement.

"This is an assault on all of humanity. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of #SriLanka, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Erdogan said.

Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, said in a Twitter post: "[I] strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also denounced the deadly blasts, saying: "There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the attacks and said: “Attacking churches and hotels and targeting worshipers is appalling, and Afghanistan strongly condemns this heinous act of terror. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka on this dark day.”

In a Twitter statement, the spokesman of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Steffen Seibert, said they were "horrified by the news that Christians in Sri Lanka were attacked and killed during Easter services."

British Prime Minister Theresa May, for her part, said the attacks in Sri Lanka were "truly appalling".

"My deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time," she said.