Two Swiss citizens, one of them a Swiss-Sri Lankan dual national, were killed in bombings in the capital Colombo on Sunday, the Swiss foreign ministry has confirmed.
According to the Swiss News Agency Keystone-ATS, the foreign ministry sent a statement to the media on Monday evening saying it was in contact with the victims’ family and was offering them support.
A third family member, a dual national but not Swiss, also died.
In addition, the Swiss embassy in Colombo was offering assistance to a Swiss-Sri Lankan family resident in Switzerland two of whose parents were killed. The couple were Sri Lankan.
At least 290 people – many of them celebrating Easter – were killed on Sunday when terrorists bombed three churches and four hotels in Colombo, Batticaloa and Negombo. Another 500 have been injured.
“On behalf of the government I condemn the attacks on religious celebrations in Colombo. My deepest condolences to the victims’ relatives and to the Sri Lankan authorities,” said Swiss President Ueli Maurer on Sunday morning, in a message posted on the Twitter account of the Federal Council spokesman:
In addition to expressing condolences, Switzerland has updated its travel advisory to Sri Lanka following deadly bombings targeted at churches and hotels.
The foreign ministry also condemned the attacks.
“The FDFA regards the attacks on the civilian population with sadness, and condemns the intolerance and violence that have caused so much suffering in this country,” wrote the department in a statementExternal link issued on Sunday afternoon.
Seven people were later arrested during a house raid in which three police officers were killed. Sunday’s bombings represent the first major incident since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended a decade ago.
Switzerland has updated its travel advisory to Sri LankaExternal link with information on Easter Sunday’s attacks, suggesting that visitors follow the Twitter account of the Sri Lankan police, but adding, “It is to be expected that social media will be temporarily restricted”.
More
More
Justice minister reaffirms Swiss commitment in Sri Lanka
This content was published on
Simonettta Sommaruga said that Switzerland will help ensure that the Office of Missing Persons and Human Rights Commission can do their work.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Swiss cinemas report drop in admissions in first half of 2024
This content was published on
The decline in cinema-goers has continued so far this year. Swiss films and smaller cinemas are holding up better than big US productions and multiplex.
Spread of Japanese beetle leads to lawn-watering bans in Basel
This content was published on
Basel City authorities have extended an infestation zone with strict guidelines to a good third of the canton’s territory.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland and Sri Lanka plan closer cooperation
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister,Sommaruga,has signed plans for an extended migration partnership accord with Sri Lanka. NGOs have slammed the project.
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court must decide whether the Tamil Tigers are a criminal group following a complaint from the Office of the Attorney General.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.