Lanka resumes Sunday mass in all churches

Colombo, May 12  

Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church held its first Sunday mass amid tight security, three weeks after devastating suicide attacks on three churches and luxury hotels that killed over 250 people on the Easter Sunday.

Regular services were cancelled across all churches after the deadly suicide attacks claimed by the Islamic State.

However, the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith conducted private Sunday services in the past two weeks, which were broadcast live on national television.

Cardinal Ranjith announced on Thursday that mass would be held in his diocese from Sunday. It was just this morning (Sunday) that churches resumed their normal Sunday services since the attack, residents said.

Security has been beefed up across Sri Lanka after the April 21 attacks on three churches, two of them Catholic, and three luxury hotels.

Authorities did not allow any vehicles into the compound of the churches and worshippers were asked to bring only minimum baggage.

The security forces are conducting round-the-clock security operations since the attack in the crackdown on radical Muslims with links to the bombings. Three main churches which were conducting Easter Sunday mass were attacked by suicide bombers. Armed guards have been stationed outside hotels, churches, temples and mosques since the attacks. — PTI

First since Easter attack 

• Regular services were cancelled across all churches after the deadly suicide attacks claimed by the Islamic State
• However, the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith conducted private Sunday services in the past two weeks, which were broadcast live on national television

.