April, 22, 2019
The two Australians killed in the Sri Lankan Easter Sunday bombings have been identified as a mother and daughter who had been living in the country for several years.
Manik Suriaaratchi and her daughter Alexendria, 10, were two of the 290 people killed in the bomb blasts that ripped through three churches, three luxury hotels and a guesthouse Sunday about 8.45am.
The bombings were carried out by seven suicide bombers, a government investigator said Monday, with now more than 500 people reported injured.
Tributes have flooded social media for the mother and daughter, with hundreds sharing their condolences to Facebook.
“R.I.P Akki Manik Suriaaratchi and angel Alexandria. You will never be forgotten and always be in our hearts,” one said while also sharing a photo of the pair.
“Manik and Alexandria you both are fondly remembered. Rest In Peace,” another said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday it was too early to say whether more Australians could be among those who have been hurt and killed.
The Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka has been working to determine the whereabouts of Australians and monitor the situation.
Australia's travel advice for Sri Lanka has been upgraded to "reconsider your need to travel" in the aftermath of the attack.
DFAT says Australians concerned for family or friends should try to contact them directly before contacting the consular emergency centre.
Sri Lankan police investigating the bombings are examining reports that intelligence agencies had warnings of possible attacks, officials said Monday.
At the Shangri-La Hotel, a witness said “people were being dragged out” after the blast.
“There was blood everywhere,” Bhanuka Harischandra, a 24-year-old from Colombo, said.
Most of those killed were Sri Lankans. but the three bombed hotels and one of the churches, St. Anthony’s Shrine, are frequented by foreign tourists.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said the bodies of at least 27 foreigners from a variety of countries were recovered.
- Australian Associated Press,Yahoo News Australia
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