Sri Lanka explosions: Five Britons killed in blasts - BBC News

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Five British citizens have been killed in explosions at hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

Police say at least 207 people have been killed and 450 injured in eight blasts, six of which were in Colombo.

Three Britons and two with joint US and UK citizenship were among the dead, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said.

The UK Foreign Office confirmed British nationals were among those killed but has not confirmed the number of victims.

A spokesman said: "Our staff are supporting the relatives of the victims and are continuing to work with the relevant authorities to obtain further information."

Officials in Sri Lanka say there have been at least 27 foreign casualties.

Danish, Turkish and Dutch citizens are also among those known to have died.

The UK's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris, said he had spoken with Britons in hospital "who have been affected by today's senseless attacks".

Mr Dauris urged those still in the country to contact relatives and to follow instructions from local authorities.

In the capital Colombo, St Anthony's Shrine and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels were targeted.

There were also explosions at a hotel near Dehiwala zoo and in the residential district of Dematagoda.

Further blasts took place in St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, a town approximately 20 miles north of Colombo, and at Zion Church in Batticaloa, on the east coast.

Kieran Arasaratnam, a professor at Imperial College London, was on his way to the breakfast room in the Shangri-La hotel when he heard the blast.

He told the BBC he saw a young child, aged about eight or nine, being carried to an ambulance, and all around him, "everyone's just running in panic".

"The military was coming in. It's just total chaos. So I then just literally ran out and then I looked to the room on the right and there's blood everywhere."

'Lucky to be alive'

Tourist Marisa Keller, from London, was also staying at the Shangri-La but wasn't in the hotel when it was attacked. She said she felt "lucky to be alive".

"My cousin called to say a hotel had been bombed," she said. "We saw the ambulances at the Cinnamon Grand and said 'you're right'.

"Then we got back to the Shangri-La and saw everybody outside. The staff were trying to make sure who was safe and who was not.

"There were lots of bodies, blood, ambulances, police. Swat teams were sent in.

"One side of the hotel was blocked off. They were letting people back in because of the hot sun."

Julian Emmanuel and his family, from Surrey, were staying at the Cinnamon Grand when they were woken up by the explosion.

"There were ambulances, fire crews, police sirens," he told the BBC.

"I came out of the room to see what's happening, we were ushered downstairs.

"We were told there had been a bomb. Staff said some people were killed. One member of staff told me it was a suicide bomber."

Retired doctor Simon Whitmarsh, from Wales, is on holiday in Sri Lanka.

The 55-year-old was cycling near the city of Batticaloa when he heard a "big bang".

As a former consultant paediatrician, Mr Whitmarsh volunteered at the local hospital - but was told the situation was in hand.

"By that stage, they had activated emergency protocols," he said. "The hospital was heavily guarded by the army, who were stopping most people going in."

Eight people have been arrested in connection with the attacks, but it not yet clear who is responsible.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, said the "magnitude and precision" of the attacks was "unprecedented".

She added that authorities were "doing everything that they can to bring the perpetrators to justice".

• People caught up in the deadly blasts tell their story
• Sri Lanka profiled: Find out more about the country

The Sri Lankan government said there would be a temporary block on the use of major social media networks and a nationwide curfew had been imposed "until further notice".

Local media report that security has been stepped up at the country's main Bandaranaike International Airport.

Sri Lankan Airlines says passengers can travel to the airport by showing flight tickets and passports at check points.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has condemned the attacks as "utterly despicable destruction" during his Easter address at Canterbury Cathedral.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the killings were "truly appalling" and "no-one should ever have to practise their faith in fear."

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the "horrifying attacks".

He added: "To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world. We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect."

---

The Foreign Office has directed British citizens to two helplines:

• Those in Sri Lanka and can call the Embassy in Colombo: +94 11 5390639
• Those in the UK who are concerned for British friends or family in Sri Lanka can call: 020 7008 1500

---

Are you in Sri Lanka? Have you been affected by the attacks? Only if it is safe to do so, please contact haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7555 173285
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
• Upload your pictures / video here
• Text an SMS or MMS to 61124 or +44 7624 800 100
• Please read our terms of use and privacy policy

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48004465

2019-04-21 16:52:30Z
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Sri Lanka explosions: British citizens caught in blasts - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Five British citizens have been killed in explosions at hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

Police say at least 207 people have been killed and 450 injured in eight blasts, six of which were in Colombo.

Three Britons and two others with joint US and UK citizenship among the dead, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said.

The Foreign Office has not confirmed the figure and said it was working with the Sri Lankan authorities to establish the number of citizens who had died.

Officials in Sri Lanka say there have been at least 27 foreign casualties.

Danish, Turkish and Dutch citizens are also among those known to have died.

The UK's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris, said he had spoken with Britons in hospital "who have been affected by today's senseless attacks".

Mr Dauris urged those still in the country to contact relatives and to follow instructions from local authorities.

In the capital Colombo, St Anthony's Shrine and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels were targeted.

There were also explosions at a hotel near Dehiwala zoo and in the residential district of Dematagoda.

Further blasts took place in St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, a town approximately 20 miles north of Colombo, and at Zion Church in Batticaloa, on the east coast.

Kieran Arasaratnam, a professor at Imperial College London, was on his way to the breakfast room in the Shangri-La hotel when he heard the blast.

He told the BBC he saw a young child, aged about eight or nine, being carried to an ambulance, and all around him, "everyone's just running in panic".

"The military was coming in. It's just total chaos. So I then just literally ran out and then I looked to the room on the right and there's blood everywhere."

'Lucky to be alive'

Tourist Marisa Keller, from London, was also staying at the Shangri-La but wasn't in the hotel when it was attacked. She said she felt "lucky to be alive".

"My cousin called to say a hotel had been bombed," she said. "We saw the ambulances at the Cinnamon Grand and said 'you're right'.

"Then we got back to the Shangri-La and saw everybody outside. The staff were trying to make sure who was safe and who was not.

"There were lots of bodies, blood, ambulances, police. Swat teams were sent in.

"One side of the hotel was blocked off. They were letting people back in because of the hot sun."

Julian Emmanuel and his family, from Surrey, were staying at the Cinnamon Grand when they were woken up by the explosion.

"There were ambulances, fire crews, police sirens," he told the BBC.

"I came out of the room to see what's happening, we were ushered downstairs.

"We were told there had been a bomb. Staff said some people were killed. One member of staff told me it was a suicide bomber."

Retired doctor Simon Whitmarsh, from Wales, is on holiday in Sri Lanka.

The 55-year-old was cycling near the city of Batticaloa when he heard a "big bang".

As a former consultant paediatrician, Mr Whitmarsh volunteered at the local hospital - but was told the situation was in hand.

"By that stage, they had activated emergency protocols," he said. "The hospital was heavily guarded by the army, who were stopping most people going in."

Reports say seven people have been arrested in connection to the attacks, but it not yet clear who is responsible.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, said the "magnitude and precision" of the attacks was "unprecedented".

She added that authorities were "doing everything that they can to bring the perpetrators to justice".

• People caught up in the deadly blasts tell their story
• Sri Lanka profiled: Find out more about the country

The Sri Lankan government said there would be a temporary block on the use of major social media networks and a curfew imposed from 18:00 to 06:00 local time (12:30-00:30 GMT).

Local media report that security has been stepped up at the country's main Bandaranaike International Airport.

Sri Lankan Airlines says passengers can travel to the airport by showing flight tickets and passports at check points.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has condemned the attacks as "utterly despicable destruction" during his Easter address at Canterbury Cathedral.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the killings were "truly appalling" and "no-one should ever have to practise their faith in fear."

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the "horrifying attacks".

He added: "To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world. We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect."

---

The Foreign Office has directed British citizens to two helplines:

• Those in Sri Lanka and can call the Embassy in Colombo: +94 11 5390639
• Those in the UK who are concerned for British friends or family in Sri Lanka can call: 020 7008 1500

---

Are you in Sri Lanka? Have you been affected by the attacks? Only if it is safe to do so, please contact haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7555 173285
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
• Upload your pictures / video here
• Text an SMS or MMS to 61124 or +44 7624 800 100
• Please read our terms of use and privacy policy

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48004465

2019-04-21 15:22:30Z
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Theresa May says UK will stand up for religious freedom - BBC News

The Queen has attended an Easter service at Windsor Castle on the day she celebrates her 93rd birthday.

She was presented with flowers and a crowd sang "Happy Birthday" as she left St George's Chapel.

In an Easter message, Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK "must stand up for the right of everyone" to practise their faith in peace.

And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn compared the experience of Jesus to the challenges facing some refugees today.

The Queen was joined for the Easter Sunday service by family members including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who has retired from public duties, and the Duchess of Sussex, who is heavily pregnant, did not attend.

But Prince Harry and Meghan posted a joint birthday greeting to the Queen on Instagram, saying: "Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma'am, Granny."

As the Queen left the chapel, she was presented with two posies - one yellow and one white - by two boys.

Gun salutes will also be fired in London to mark her birthday - although she will have to wait a day, as they are never done on a Sunday.

The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year - 21 April is her actual birthday and she also has an official one on the second Saturday in June, which is commemorated with the Trooping the Colour parade.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used his Easter message to say the resurrection of Jesus showed "injustice and oppression don't have the last word".

"The risen Jesus is the one who makes our broken lives whole," he said.

In her Easter message, the prime minister said she will spend her time "giving thanks in church", but for many Christians "such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger".

About 245 million Christians worldwide are estimated to be facing persecution.

Mrs May, a vicar's daughter and practising Christian, said: "Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes.

"That is why the government has launched a global review into the persecution of Christians.

"We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith in peace."

The government review, led by the Bishop of Truro, was launched in December to look into how much help the UK gives persecuted Christians.

In the Labour leader's Easter message, Mr Corbyn said the experiences of Jesus as a refugee were "still familiar to us today".

He said Jesus was "a refugee whose parents were forced to flee their home", who went on to "know what it was to be ostracised, rejected and tortured".

He added: "The refugee crisis is a moral test. Jesus taught us to respect refugees."

Mr Corbyn also used his message to criticise the government for failing to take in child refugees, as well as Home Secretary Sajid Javid's handling of the Channel migrant crossings over the winter.

He said: "In Britain, we have a proud history of providing a safe refuge to those in need. But this government refuses to meet our legal obligations to child refugees in Europe as required by the Dubs Amendment."

The Dubs amendment, designed by the Labour peer and former child refugee Lord Dubs, was a scheme which aimed to let unaccompanied migrant children into the UK - but it was not extended by the government in 2017.

The Home Office responded by saying that the UK had provided protection to over 34,500 children since the start of 2010 and the government was "determined to deliver on its commitment" to relocating 480 children under the "Dubs amendment".

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47999795

2019-04-21 12:01:44Z
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Theresa May says UK will stand up for religious freedom - BBC News

The Queen has attended an Easter service at Windsor Castle on the day she celebrates her 93rd birthday.

She was presented with flowers and a crowd sang "Happy Birthday" as she left St George's Chapel.

In an Easter message, Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK "must stand up for the right of everyone" to practise their faith in peace.

And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn compared the experience of Jesus to the challenges facing some refugees today.

The Queen was joined for the Easter Sunday service by family members including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who has retired from public duties, and the Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting a baby, did not attend.

But Prince Harry and Meghan posted a joint birthday greeting to the Queen on Instagram, saying: "Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma'am, Granny."

As the Queen left the chapel, she was presented with two posies - one yellow and one white - by two boys.

The waiting crowd sang "Happy Birthday" and cheered as she got into her car.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used his message to say the resurrection of Jesus showed "injustice and oppression don't have the last word".

"The risen Jesus is the one who makes our broken lives whole," he said.

In her Easter message, the prime minister said she will spend her time "giving thanks in church", but for many Christians "such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger".

About 245 million Christians worldwide are estimated to be facing persecution.

Mrs May, a vicar's daughter and practising Christian, said: "Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes.

"That is why the government has launched a global review into the persecution of Christians.

"We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith in peace."

The government review, led by the Bishop of Truro, was launched in December to look into how much help the UK gives persecuted Christians.

In the Labour leader's Easter message, Mr Corbyn said the experiences of Jesus as a refugee were "still familiar to us today".

He said Jesus was "a refugee whose parents were forced to flee their home", who went on to "know what it was to be ostracised, rejected and tortured".

He added: "The refugee crisis is a moral test. Jesus taught us to respect refugees."

Mr Corbyn also used his message to criticise the government for failing to take in child refugees, as well as Home Secretary Sajid Javid's handling of the Channel migrant crossings over the winter.

He said: "In Britain, we have a proud history of providing a safe refuge to those in need. But this government refuses to meet our legal obligations to child refugees in Europe as required by the Dubs Amendment."

The Dubs amendment, designed by the Labour peer and former child refugee Lord Dubs, was a scheme which aimed to let unaccompanied migrant children into the UK - but it was not extended by the government in 2017.

The Home Office responded by saying that the UK had provided protection to over 34,500 children since the start of 2010 and the government was "determined to deliver on its commitment" to relocating 480 children under the "Dubs amendment".

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47999795

2019-04-21 11:51:54Z
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Theresa May says UK will stand up for religious freedom - BBC News

The Queen has attended an Easter service at Windsor Castle on the day she celebrates her 93rd birthday.

She was presented with flowers and a crowd sang "Happy Birthday" as she left St George's Chapel.

In an Easter message, Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK "must stand up for the right of everyone" to practise their faith in peace.

And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn compared the experience of Jesus to the challenges facing some refugees today.

The Queen was joined for the Easter Sunday service by family members including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who has retired from public duties, and the Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting a baby, did not attend.

But Prince Harry and Meghan posted a joint birthday greeting to the Queen on Instagram, saying: "Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma'am, Granny."

As the Queen left the chapel, she was presented with two posies - one yellow and one white - by two boys.

The waiting crowd sang "Happy Birthday" and cheered as she got into her car.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used his message to say the resurrection of Jesus showed "injustice and oppression don't have the last word".

"The risen Jesus is the one who makes our broken lives whole," he said.

In her Easter message, the prime minister said she will spend her time "giving thanks in church", but for many Christians "such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger".

About 245 million Christians worldwide are estimated to be facing persecution.

Mrs May, a vicar's daughter and practising Christian, said: "Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes.

"That is why the government has launched a global review into the persecution of Christians.

"We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith in peace."

The government review, led by the Bishop of Truro, was launched in December to look into how much help the UK gives persecuted Christians.

In the Labour leader's Easter message, Mr Corbyn said the experiences of Jesus as a refugee were "still familiar to us today".

He said Jesus was "a refugee whose parents were forced to flee their home", who went on to "know what it was to be ostracised, rejected and tortured".

He added: "The refugee crisis is a moral test. Jesus taught us to respect refugees."

Mr Corbyn also used his message to criticise the government for failing to take in child refugees, as well as Home Secretary Sajid Javid's handling of the Channel migrant crossings over the winter.

He said: "In Britain, we have a proud history of providing a safe refuge to those in need. But this government refuses to meet our legal obligations to child refugees in Europe as required by the Dubs Amendment."

The Dubs amendment, designed by the Labour peer and former child refugee Lord Dubs, was a scheme which aimed to let unaccompanied migrant children into the UK - but it was not extended by the government in 2017.

The Home Office responded by saying that the UK had provided protection to over 34,500 children since the start of 2010 and the government was "determined to deliver on its commitment" to relocating 480 children under the "Dubs amendment".

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2019-04-21 10:36:27Z
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UK weather: Hottest day of the year, says Met Office - BBC News

The Met Office has confirmed Saturday as the hottest day of the year, with 25.5C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.

And the UK is set for record-breaking temperatures over the rest of the Easter weekend, forecasters have said.

Temperatures are expected to climb to 26C on Easter Sunday and 27C on Monday, though north-west Scotland could be clipped by outbursts of rain.

The record temperature for Easter Sunday in the UK is 25.3C reached in Solent, Hampshire in April 2011.

The Solent also lays claim to the hottest Easter Monday with 24C recorded, also in 2011.

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said the Solent's records were the "ones to keep an eye on and could be broken".

The UK's warmest Easter temperature was 29.4C, recorded at London's Camden Square on Holy Saturday in 1949.

Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose supermarkets said they expected soaring sales of sausages, burgers, ice lollies and ice cream.

Sainsbury's told the BBC it expected sales of rose wine to jump by 40% compared to last week, fake tan to climb by 300% and sun cream by 800%.

Argos customers have been preparing for the hot weather, with sales of one air conditioning unit up 367% week-on-week.

Asda is expecting high sales of Easter eggs and legs of lamb to be joined by a jump in sales of barbecue food - including a run on potato salad.

Meanwhile a spokesman for Waitrose said the supermarket was expecting sales of kebabs and steaks to rise by 150% week-on-week, and burgers by 170%.

This year, Easter falls on the latest date since 2011, meaning that warm weather is far more likely that those years when Easter is marked in March. It won't be this late again until 2030.

The earliest Easter Sunday can be is 22 March and the latest it can fall is 25 April, depending on when there's a full moon in spring.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47996418

2019-04-21 03:58:40Z
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UK weather: Hottest day of the year, says Met Office - BBC News

The Met Office has confirmed Saturday as the hottest day of the year, with 25.5C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.

And the UK is set for record-breaking temperatures over the rest of the Easter weekend, forecasters have said.

Temperatures are expected to climb to 26C on Easter Sunday and 27C on Monday, though north-west Scotland could be clipped by outbursts of rain.

The record temperature for Easter Sunday in the UK is 25.3C reached in Solent, Hampshire in April 2011.

The Solent also lays claim to the hottest Easter Monday with 24C recorded, also in 2011.

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said the Solent's records were the "ones to keep an eye on and could be broken".

The UK's warmest Easter temperature was 29.4C, recorded at London's Camden Square on Holy Saturday in 1949.

Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose supermarkets said they expected soaring sales of sausages, burgers, ice lollies and ice cream.

Sainsbury's told the BBC it expected sales of rose wine to jump by 40% compared to last week, fake tan to climb by 300% and sun cream by 800%.

Argos customers have been preparing for the hot weather, with sales of one air conditioning unit up 367% week-on-week.

Asda is expecting high sales of Easter eggs and legs of lamb to be joined by a jump in sales of barbecue food - including a run on potato salad.

Meanwhile a spokesman for Waitrose said the supermarket was expecting sales of kebabs and steaks to rise by 150% week-on-week, and burgers by 170%.

This year, Easter falls on the latest date since 2011, meaning that warm weather is far more likely that those years when Easter is marked in March. It won't be this late again until 2030.

The earliest Easter Sunday can be is 22 March and the latest it can fall is 25 April, depending on when there's a full moon in spring.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47996418

2019-04-21 02:54:35Z
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