Indian Mission in Sri Lanka monitoring situation, issues helpline numbers

India on Sunday said that it was closely monitoring the

situation in Sri Lanka , where six near simultaneous blasts hit three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday, leaving scores dead.

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass was in progress in the churches.

“Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers: +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.

“In addition to the numbers given, Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may also call the following numbers +94777902082 +94772234176,” the High Commission also tweeted.

Three churches — St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, St Sebastian’s Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa — were targeted. Explosions were reported from three five-star hotels — the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.