External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Sunday tweeted that atleast three Indians are among those killed in a string of deadly explosions in Sri Lankan capital Colombo today morning.
In her tweet the EAM said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed to the Government of India citing the National Hospital, Colombo about the death of three Indian nationals.
The minister added that the names of the deceased are Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh and the Indian government was ascertaining further details.
Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
In another tweet, the minister said that she has informed the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance to Colombo in this moment of crisis. She added that India is also ready despatch its medical teams to help Sri Lankan agencies.
I conveyed to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance. In case required, we are ready to despatch our medical teams as well.
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
Sushma Swarah has appealed to Indians in distress to get in touch with Indian High Commission in Colombo in case they need any assistance. She also tweeted the helpline numbers, which are: +94777903082,+94112422788,+94112422789, +94112422789.
At least 207 people were killed and 450 injured as a series of blasts hit Colombo Sunday morning. Seven people have also been arrested in a raid on a house in Colombo in connection with the blasts probe, news agency Reuters reported.
"Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now, we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals," Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said in Colombo.
The eight explosions, some of which were reportedly suicide bomb attacks, forced the Sri Lankan to order clampdown across the country. The government has declared a curfew and blocked access to major social media and messaging sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
