Sri Lankan residents light candles as they express solidarity with the victims of the attacks in their homeland during a function at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
DOHA: Hundreds of Sri Lankan residents in Doha yesterday gathered in solidarity with their countrymen in grief and shock after the recent terror attacks.
They showed affectionate expressions of solidarity during an event held at the Sri Lankan Embassy premises. Two minutes of silence was observed in respect to those who lost their lives in the attacks.
During the event. themed ‘in the name of humanity’, residents of all ages including large number of children lit candles and offered flowers in remembrance and respect of innocent lives lost due to the attacks.
The Chargé d’Affaires at the Sri Lankan Embassy, Kohula Rangan Ratnasingam, addressing the gathering at the function.
Many wrote thoughtful messages on a solidarity wall such as “lets raise stronger as a nation”, “We Sri Lankans together yesterday, today and forever” and “let’s raise as one Sri Lanka”.
A series of coordinated bombings on Easter Sunday on April 21 rocked Sri Lanka, killing at least 253 people (death toll revised down from 359 by authorities) and wounding 500 others. The attacks were the deadliest in the island nation since the end of its civil war 10 years ago, and targeted three churches as well as four hotels in the capital Colombo.
Chargé d’Affaires, at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar, Kohularangan Ratnasingam, addressing the gathering, said, “We stand in solidarity with those who lost their loved ones and wounded. We have a great challenge at this sorrowful moment. We should unite and determine to prevent such things happening in the future.”
“We have a great challenge to build a peaceful country. I have a great hope and confidence that we all as Sri Lankans can get together and build our nation,” he added.
Several representatives of the community from different faiths also addressed the gathering. They all called for re-consolidation and expressed confidence and determination to unite and rebuild their country. ‘In the name of humanity’ event was organised by the Sri Lankan residents in Doha.
