No one would have imagined that their Easter celebrations would turn into days of mourning, as the Christian community in Sri Lanka set out to ring in the festivities of the Lord's mythical resurrection yesterday.

© AP

Early morning yesterday, the entire Sri Lankan nation was rocked by eight consecutive bombings in different parts of Colombo. The major targets were churches where Easter services were underway, luxury hotels occupied by tourists, and a housing complex.

© AP

The death count has reached 290 so far, with over 500 being declared injured. Six Indians were amongst the 290 people who lost their lives in the serial blasts yesterday. They have been identified as P.S. Raseena, Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar, Ramesh, K G Hanumantharayappa, and M Rangappa.

Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019

@SushmaSwaraj
We sadly confirm the deaths of the following two individuals in the blasts yesterday:
- K G Hanumantharayappa
-M Rangappa.

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 22, 2019

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Indian High Commission in the country for all sorts of assistance the Sri Lankan government might require at this hour of need.

I conveyed to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance. In case required, we are ready to despatch our medical teams as well.

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have both condemned the blasts in Sri Lanka, and sent across their condolences to suffering families.

Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019

India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 21, 2019

One of the victims, P.S. Raseena, who was from Mogral Puthur in Kerala was killed just when she was checking out of Shangri-La hotel. According to her relatives, Raseena was in Sri Lanka on a vacation with her husband Khader Kukadi, who works as an engineer working in Dubai. After Kukadi left for Dubai earlier on Sunday, Raseena was to leave the hotel and visit her brother Bahseer, who lives in Colombo. Basheer was supposed to pick Raseena from the hotel, but ended up identifying his sister's body at a city hospital.

Our condolences and prayers with all those who are suffering.