In honor of the victims of the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, Governor Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman announced victims will be honored at the State Capitol where the Main Capitol Building will be lighted orange and green tonight.

Gov. Wolf also ordered the Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds to fly at half-staff in honor of the victims of the attacks.

“Frances and I are horrified by the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka on such a holy day for Christians around the world,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families today. In the last few months, we have seen far too many attacks targeting communities of faith. Instead of allowing fear to divide us further, we need to come together to support those grieving and stand in solidarity with all those facing persecution. We must stand united against hatred and protect the rights of all people to express their beliefs and peacefully assemble.”

“Gisele and I share the horror expressed by the Governor and First Lady,” said Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. “Our hearts are so heavy for the communities stunned by these horrific attacks. We must come together as people of one world and reject the hate and terror that targets any group.”

“As with New Zealand, Squirrel Hill, and all other attacks on our communities, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs deplores this senseless violence against our Sri Lankan and South Asian Christian communities,” Executive Director Mohan Seshadri said. “We all deserve the right to live, work, and come together as a community without fear and without assault; for the target to once again be people joining each other in worship — in a celebration of life, no less — makes yesterday’s events all the more tragic. We reject any attempts to let this hate divide us or to let fear rule us and dictate our responses to these tragedies.”

The Commonwealth flag shall be lowered until sunset on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute. The United States flag should remain at full-staff.