The attacks were the worst ever carried out against Sri Lanka’s small Christian minority, who make up just seven percent of the 21 million population. “Additionally, while nine foreign nationals are reported missing, there are 25 unidentified bodies believed to be of foreigners,” the foreign ministry said. The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that was linked last year to the vandalization of Buddhist statues. Wickremesinghe urged people to “hold our unity as Sri Lankans” and pledged to “wipe out this menace once and for all”. Embassies in Colombo warned foreign nationals to stay inside, while there were chaotic scenes at Colombo airport as travellers formed huge lines at the only taxi counter that was open.

Source: Egypt Independent April 22, 2019 05:37 UTC