'Save us from the Satans': Sri Lanka Christians pray after surviving attacks

SUMMARY

A dozen rifle-toting soldiers guarded a small community hall as day broke in the eastern Sri Lankan town of Batticaloa on Sunday morning. Around 9 a.m. local time - roughly the same time a suicide bomber killed 29 of their fellow parishioners at the evangelical Zion Church two weeks ago - worshippers streamed silently into the hall. Survivors of the attack on Easter Sunday ambled in on crutches or with an eye patch. Some clutched bibles. Many wiped away their tears. Inside, several hundred worshippers knelt on the tile floor with their arms lifted towards the heavens, beseeching Jesus Christ to grant salvation. “Come to our protection in this world where we are being hit by waves,” their voices sang out in Tamil. More than 250 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded in the attacks by Islamist militants on churches and hotels across the Indian Ocean island on April 21.

By ReutersMay 5, 2019 3:04:23 PM IST (Published)

Sri Lankan Catholics pray on the road in front of St. Anthony's Shrine, where an explosion took place during mass on Easter Sunday, in Colombo. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

More than 250 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded in the attacks by Islamist militants on churches and hotels across the Indian Ocean island on April 21. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

A general view of St. Anthony's Shrine, where an explosion took place during mass on Easter Sunday. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

Sri Lankan navy personnel work on repairing the damaged facade of St. Anthony's Shrine. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

Sri Lankan Catholics pray on the road in front of St. Anthony's Shrine. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

Survivors of the attack on Easter Sunday ambled in on crutches or with an eye patch. Some clutched bibles. Many wiped away their tears. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)

A Sri Lankan navy personnel places a flower garland on a statue of St. Anthony, in front of St. Anthony's Shrine. (REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte)