BENDIGO Sri Lankans are reeling from a series of bombings in and around the island nation's capital, which have claimed almost 300 lives.
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The Sri Lankan Fellowship in Bendigo has arranged an event where people can show their support and spread blessings to those affected.
'Pray for Sri Lanka' takes place at the Atisha Buddhist Centre, within the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion complex, from 2.30pm on Sunday.
Bendigo's St Paul's Cathedral has arranged a Service of Lament for 6pm on Wednesday.
A total of 290 people were killed and about 500 people were wounded in bombings in and around Colombo on Easter Sunday.
Two Australians - a mother and her 10-year- old daughter - are among those who are dead. Another two Australians, who are dual nationals, are injured.
Three churches, three luxury hotels and a guesthouse were hit.
Another blast occurred during a police raid, which killed three officers.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported a subsequent explosion near a church in Colombo.
Read more: Sri Lanka imposes emergency after attacks
Sri Lankan Fellowship in Bendigo president Arosha Kaluarachchi was not aware on Monday afternoon of any local community members that were harmed or had lost family members.
"We are all in shock, really," he said.
He urged people not to spread false or misleading information about the attacks or their cause, which are still being investigated.
"That is the worst thing you can do... worse than the eight bombs that went off," Mr Kaluarachchi said.
The dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the Very Reverend Elizabeth Dyke, said Wednesday's service was inspired by the same emotion surrounding the terror attacks on Muslim worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last month.
"We're so desperately sad that people at worship aren't being respected and allowed to practice their faith," she said.
She said something similar happened in Nigeria just a few weeks before which went largely unnoticed.
"It is a pattern that is developing, very sadly, when people are at their most vulnerable," the dean said.
She did not believe worshippers in Bendigo had reason to fear, and said Wednesday's service was open to people of all faiths.
Anyone that wanted to come and express their fellow feelings would be welcome, the dean said.
"People in Sri Lanka have had 10 years of peace and they thought all this violence was behind them," she said.
Mr Kaluarachchi said one of the churches that was bombed was the biggest church in Colombo - that of the cardinal of Sri Lanka.
"Lots of families have lost their loved ones," he said.
The two Australians who died were related and were living in Sri Lanka with family.
A woman in her mid-50s and a woman in her mid-20s are both in a stable condition after sustaining injuries.
One woman was treated for shrapnel wounds. The other was treated for a broken leg.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said just before 5pm on Monday it was too early to say all Australians were accounted for.
Suicide bombers are believed to have taken part in the attacks.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated advice for Australian travellers to Sri Lanka, suggesting they reconsider their need to travel due to a 'high level of risk' associated with the bombings.
- with Reuters and the Australian Associated Press
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