Sri Lanka hotels and churches targeted in Easter Day wave of bombings

At least 156 people have been killed and hundreds injured in a wave of bombings in Sri Lanka with churches and hotels hit in the Easter Day blasts.

Three churches and three hotels were targeted in the explosions, with at least 36 foreigners killed including British, American and Dutch tourists.

It is not clear who was responsible for Sunday's blasts, but they appear aimed at tourists and the country's Catholics, which make up around six percent of the population. 

The Catholic Church in the Holy Land condemned the bombings, which it said was particularly sad as they "came while Christians celebrate Easter".

"We pray for the souls of the victims and ask for speedy recovery of the injured, and ask God to inspire the terrorists to repent of their killing and intimidation," the statement said.

"We also express our solidarity with Sri Lanka and all its inhabitants in their various religious and ethnic backgrounds."

St. Anthony's Shrine and the three hotels where the blasts took place are in Colombo, and are frequented by foreign tourists.

A National Hospital spokesman, Dr. Samindi Samarakoon, told AP they received 47 dead, including nine foreigners, and were treating more than 200 wounded.

Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels were targeted in the blasts.