I am heartbroken for the people in Sri Lanka and their families hit by the recent horrifying suicide attacks. We are seeing pictures of children who were on holiday, innocent young families and also Sri Lankan people worshipping on Easter Sunday having their lives instantly and violently wiped out.

As a family we have holidayed in this beautiful country several times and each time we have been touched by the kindness and gentle spirit of the Sri Lankan people. My heart goes out to them now as this atrocity will hurt them deeply. Many Columbans immediately volunteered to give blood and this gives an indication of the nature of these folk.

It seems impossible to understand what goes on in the minds of the terrorists. We hear that most of them were young people, well educated, from wealthy families and it seems completely baffling that they should commit such acts. To me, this is not an act of religious sacrifice but an indication of mental health instability which has been exploited by the terrorist organisation. It is important that we separate these acts from religious belief.

It is going to take a great deal of time for the country to heal again after this, my heart goes out to them and to all the families torn apart by this.

Wendy x