'No place for such barbarism': PM Modi condemns Sri Lanka blasts which killed 207

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned serial blasts in Sri Lanka, saying that there is no place for barbarism in the region. He also said that India stands in solidarity with the people of the island nation.

“Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region,” he tweeted.

"My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured," he added.

PM Modi also held telephonic conversations with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena, expressing condolences over the deadly blasts.

Terming them as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts, PM Modi pointed out that these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said she is in "constant touch" with the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo".

"We are keeping a close watch on the situation," she tweeted.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has shared details of helpline numbers for Indian citizens in need of assistance and for seeking clarification.

The numbers are: +94777903082, +94112422788, +94112422789, +94777902082 and +94772234176.

At least 207 people were killed and over 400 injured after eight blasts rocked the island nation on Easter Sunday. The seventh and eighth blasts occurred hours after six near simultaneous and coordinated explosions that rocked three churches and three luxury hotels frequented by tourists.

The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 a.M. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury in Colombo. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital.