All news

Putin offers condolences to Sri Lanka’s president after series of terrorist attacks

No extremist group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena over the deadly explosions, which hit several hotels and churches of the island country on Sunday, a telegram published on the Kremlin website said.

According to the latest data, 185 people have been killed in the attacks, including 35 foreigners.

Six simultaneous blasts targeted three luxury hotels and a church in Colombo, and also two churches in a suburb of Negombo. No extremist group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

"Please, accept my sincerest condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of a series of terrorist attacks in the cities of your country. I would like to confirm that Russia was and remains a reliable partner of Sri Lanka in the fight against international terrorism threat," the telegram said.

"I expect that the perpetrators and masterminds of this cruel and cynical crime, committed at the height of Easter celebrations, will incur a deserved punishment," the Russian president stressed.