Memorial events were held in Batticaloa to mark three years since the Easter Sunday attacks that killed nearly 270 people and injured over 500 others.
A series of explosions targetted churches and luxury hotels in Colombo and Batticaloa. Hotels hit by explosions include the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels and one other, all in Colombo. The three churches struck were the Catholic Shrine of St. Anthony in Kotahena, Colombo, the Catholic Church of St. Sebastian in Negombo and the Zion Church in Batticaloa. At least 45 foreign nationals were amongst the dead.
Though the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, with the lesser-known jihadist group National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) involved, it soon emerged that Sri Lankan intelligence services were aware that an attack was due to take place on Easter Sunday.
A memorial service was held at Zion Church this morning, where 31 people were killed and over 100 injured. The service was attended by the families of the victims. Eye witnesses at the Zion Church described the suspected bomber travelling towards children who had gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday.
Protesters also gathered at the memorial monument built last year in remembrance of the 31 victims who lost their lives in the attack.
Students from Eastern University, Batticaloa, lit lamps and laid flowers to pay their respects to victims.
