APD | Sri Lanka repatriates remains of 31 tourists killed in bombings

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, April 7 (APD) – Sri Lanka on Tuesday said that it has repatriated the remains of 31 tourists killed during the Easter Sunday attacks.

Over 250 people were killed when suicide bombers attacked three churches and three hotels.

The Foreign Ministry said that the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed is 44.

The fatalities were: one (01) from Bangladesh, six (06) from China, eleven (11) from India (10 Indian nationals and 01 Sri Lanka Passport holder with Overseas Citizen of India status), three (03) from Denmark, one (01) from Japan, one (01) from the Netherlands, one (01) from Portugal, two (02) from Saudi Arabia, two (02) from Spain, one (01) from Switzerland, two (02) from Turkey, six (06) from the UK, one (01) from USA, two (02) holding US and UK nationalities, one (01) holding Swiss and Dutch nationalities, one (01) holding Dutch and Sri Lankan nationalities, and two (02) holding Australian and Sri Lankan nationalities.

Additionally, 10 foreign nationals are unaccounted for at present, and could be among the unidentified victims at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry said that it continues to liaise with the relevant officials and Diplomatic Missions concerned in the identification and repatriation of human remains.

Representatives of the relevant Sri Lanka Missions in the countries concerned attended funerals and memorial services of the victims and expressed condolences on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Official condolence messages were sent by the Heads of Mission to the bereaved families.

All over the world, many, including political leaders and dignitaries visited Sri Lanka Missions to sign the books of condolence, expressing sympathy and solidarity with Sri Lanka at its time of grief.

Sri Lankan expatriates joined interfaith religious observances including candle light vigils organized by Sri Lanka Missions in memory of those who were killed in the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)