News

Sri Lanka/ HONG KONG, 26 Apr 2019 On April 21, 2019 on Sunday Easter day, eight coordinated explosions were reported in the capital city of Colombo, and the cities of Negombo and Batticaloa, targeting churches and high-end hotels.

Highlights

1. The explosions targeted St. Antony’s Shrine, Colombo City, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo city (Gampaha District), and Zion Church, in Batticaloa city (Batticaloa District) in the morning hours, when worshippers had gathered for Easter services. Another three explosions targeted the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels in Colombo, detonated in restaurants during eakfast. An attack on a fourth hotel was foiled.
2. According to the latest available data, 359 people have been killed during the attacks, with more than 500 people injured.
3. Government has confirmed 46 children were killed in the attacks. In Batticaloa, 13 children were killed, the youngest being just 18 months old. At least five children were killed from foreign nationals, according to government reports.
4. As of now, according to reports, 45 children have been admitted to hospitals with injuries, scores of them in intensive care unit. Some children lost parents and/or separated from their families. More information about impacted children is being collected by the authorities.
5. Government has closed all schools until April 29.

Funding requirement

UNICEF Sri Lanka is now calling for donation to implement short- and mid-term emergency response programme to respond to below identified immediate and long-term needs:

• Medical supplies to meet the shortage as requested by the hospitals treating injured children and families.
• Psychological first aid programme targeting adolescents and families who have lost a family member or witnessed violence, as well as long-term psycho-social support and counseling services.
• Probation Services to identify and provide meaningful support to unaccompanied, separated children and children who have lost parents.
• Long-term community resilience building activities.

©UNICEF HK/2019

©UNICEF HK/2019

©UNICEF HK/2019