Sri Lanka's recent history has been marked by ethnic and religious violence. A series of explosions in and around the capital recalled the worst of the country's 26-year civil war.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A series of blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, blamed on religious extremists, recalled the worst days of the country’s 26-year civil war.Sri Lanka, an island nation of some 23 million people, was dominated for decades by the sharp divide between the majority Sinhalese, who are overwhelmingly Buddhist, and the minority Tamil, who are Hindu, Muslim and Christian.
However, after the civil war ended, a religious divide quickly took hold, with hard-line Buddhist monks rallying Sri Lankans against what they argue is a pernicious threat: Muslims, who make up roughly 10 percent of the country’s population. Buddhist nationalist leaders and false social media reports accuse Muslims of recruiting children, trying to grow their ranks by marrying Buddhist women and attacking Buddhist shrines.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Latest: Sri Lanka suspects suicide attacks in blastsCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Latest on explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (all times local): 6:35 p.m. Sri Lanka's defense minister says most of the eight blasts that rocked the...
Read more »
The Latest: Airline says flights continue despite curfewCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Latest on explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (all times local): 5:35 p.m. SriLankan Airlines is telling passengers booked on flights out of the...
Read more »
Explosions kill at least 30 in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — At least 30 people were killed and nearly 300 wounded in near simultaneous blasts that rocked three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, officials...
Read more »
A look at the churches and hotels targeted in Sri LankaCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Several near-simultaneous blasts tore through three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the bloodiest outbreak of violence in the South Asian...
Read more »
Pope Francis condemns Sri Lanka attacks as 'cruel violence' in speech before Easter mass“I entrust to the Lord those who have tragically died and I pray for the wounded and for all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event,” said Pope Francis.
Read more »
Six blasts hit three churches and three hotels in Sri LankaJUST IN: More than 100 people injured in 6 blasts that hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, local media reports.
Read more »
Explosions rock three churches and two hotels in Sri Lanka, police sayExplosions rocked three churches and two hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday morning as Christians celebrated Easter, authorities said.
Read more »
30 dead, hundreds injured as explosions rock churches, hotels in Sri Lanka: ReportGet breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
Read more »
Explosions hit two churches in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayWitnesses are reporting two explosions have hit two churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, causing casualties among worshippers.
Read more »
Explosions hit 2 churches in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayGet breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
Read more »
Coordinated explosions rock three churches and two hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayThe blasts in the churches took place at approximately 8:45 a.m. in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. More than 100 people were admitted to hospitals in Colombo. This is a developing story. It will be updated.
Read more »