Sri Lanka revises death toll to 253 from 359: health ministry

President Xi and Premier Li send condolence messages to Sri Lanka

President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday sent condolence messages to their Sri Lankan counterparts, respectively, after multiple deadly attacks shook the country.

In his message to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Xi said that he was shocked to know the series of explosions in Sri Lanka, which have caused large casualties.

"I, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as myself, send my deep condolences to the victims, and my sincere sympathy to the injured and families of the victims," he added.

The Chinese government and people will firmly stand by the people of Sri Lanka and firmly support the Sri Lankan government's effort to maintain national security and stability, Xi said.

On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang also sent condolences to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attacks "cruel and cynical", while voicing confidence that "the perpetrators and the masterminds of such crimes committed amid the Easter festivities will get the punishments they deserve".

British Prime Minister Theresa May said, "The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attacks, calling them "an assault on all of humanity."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts are with the bereaved families. "There is no place for such barbarism in our region," he tweeted.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has offered a tribute to the victims of Sunday's terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.  Visiting a Buddhist temple in suburban Melbourne in a pre-arranged stop in his election campaign, Morrison told the community there that "love conquers hate."