An Australian woman and her daughter, 10, are among the 290 people killed in Easter Sunday’s terror attacks in Sri Lanka.
Daily Mail confirmed that Manik Suriaaratchi and her daughter, Alexandria were in the church in Negombo when one of the three bombs was detonated.
The website reports that Manik’s husband was in the car park at the time of the blast and was uninjured.
“They were here, they were Australian citizens and they went back three or four years back to look after their mother,” Fahim Mawjood told SBS.
“It is really shocking to know that you are no longer here with us,” one relative admitted after learning the devastating news.
“You lost your lives on a holy day in a holy place. The sweet memories of Alex and yourself will live in our hearts forever.”
The coordinated bomb blasts, which left almost 300 dead and hundreds more wounded, ripped through luxury hotels, prominent churches and tourist landmarks in the capital Colombo and surrounding areas yesterday.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham told ABC Radio no Australian nationals had been killed in the atrocities, but said he was still awaiting confirmation of injuries.
The Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka is working to determine the condition and safety of Australian citizens.
Senator Birmingham condemned the attacks as “terrible, distressing and tragic” and extended “heartfelt sympathy” to the people of Sri Lanka as well as all those affected.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed this sentiment and confirmed the Government would work with organisations on the ground to secure the safety of Australians in the island nation.
More to follow.
WATCH: DEADLY BOMB BLASTS IN SRI LANKA