Sri Lanka: Modi visits church targetted during Easter terror attacks

Showing India's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid his respects at the St. Anthony's Church, which was targetted during the Easter terror attacks.

"Started the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured," Modi tweeted.

Modi is the first world leader to visit Sri Lanka following the terror attacks, showing India's support to the South Asian ally and friend.

"I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka," he added.

"India is with Sri Lanka on the fight against terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

The Prime Minister is currently on a two-day visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka, which is the first overseas bilateral engagement the leader is undertaking after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister for a second term.

For the first time in its 175-year-old history, the church had to shut its doors to visitors following the devastating terror attacks, which killed around 250 people across the country on April 21.

The blast ripped through the church's entrance, killing and wounding scores of devotees who had gathered at the holy place to celebrate Easter Sunday.

At least eight locations, including three churches, were targetted by the terrorists on Easter Sunday. A local Jihadi group and ISIS affiliate, National Thowheeth Jama'ath, claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks which have been widely condemned. India has extended all support to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the attack..