Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, issued the following statement on the bombings in Sri Lanka:

“We pray for the souls of those killed in Sri Lanka.  At this time, this heinous act appears to be the work of Islamic radicals, who targeted foreigners as well as Christians who were in Church celebrating Easter.  This atrocity underscores that Christians are the single most persecuted religious minority in the world today—according to Open Doors USA, each month on average 345 Christians are killed for faith-related reasons, 105 Churches or Christian buildings are burned or attacked, and 219 Christians are detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned.  We mourn for all those who lost their lives, regardless of religion, but cannot help but note that this evil specifically targeted Christians who were observing the holiest day of the Christian year.”