Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

'Amma!' cry out children as mother succumbs to Zion church blast injuries

 

Kirija Pirishanth's son cried out "amma! (mother)" as her body was laid to rest yesterday.

Kirija, a 36-year-old mother of four from Kallady, was the latest victim of the devastating Zion church bombing in Batticaloa, which killed over 26 people.

She leaves behind her four young children, Sujeev, Sarukesi, Thurkkasini and Sarvith, as well as her husband. 

Kirija's elder son weeps as her coffin is laid to rest 

Kirija had been admitted to hospital after the bombing on Easter Sunday with severe injuries, allowing the family to hope she would pull through, but on Monday, doctors pronounced her dead, having succombed to her injuries. 

Her husband held their youngest son as he held back tears during the funeral.

Suicide bomb attacks by Islamist extremists targetted three luxury hotels in Colombo and three churches in Batticaloa, Negombo and the capital.

Fourteen children were killed during the bombing of Zion church in Batticaloa. 

Families and loved ones wept as bodies were identified and funerals took place, many having lost more than one member of their family. 

Read more

Aftermath of bombing at Zion church in Batticaloa

Eye witnesses at the Zion church in Batticaloa described the suspected bomber travelling towards children who had gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday. 

At least 26 people were killed at the church with over 100 wounded. 

Funeral of Batticaloa Zion church bombing victim 

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.