MLA Vishwanath rushes to Colombo, his cousin a victim

Bengaluru: A leisure trip turned into heartbreak and tragedy for the family of Mr Nagaraj Reddy - a relative of BTM layout MLA Ramalinga Reddy -  who was one of the victims of the Easter blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Sunday.  

Mr Reddy, a businessman who lives in Jayanagar, had checked in to Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo along with his brother-in-law Purushottam and two others.

He died when the suicide bomber blew himself up while standing in line at a buffet queue at the restaurant in the hotel. Initially, he was reported missing, but the Indian High Commission at Colombo later confirmed his death.  

Mr Ramalinga Reddy said that Mr Nagaraj Reddy and Mr Purushottam had gone down to the restaurant to have breakfast, leaving two of their relatives in the room.

While they were having their breakfast, the blast ripped through the hotel, killing Mr Reddy, among several others. Mr Purushottam who was injured, was rushed to a nearby hospital by the local people and police. Mr Purushottam is out of danger, said Mr. Reddy.  

Mr Ramalinga Reddy said that Mr Nagaraj Reddy is also related to Yelahanka MLA S.R. Vishwanath, who has left for Colombo to complete the formalities and to get the body back to Bengaluru.

Condemning one of the worst terror attacks, Mr Ramalinga Reddy said that high security should be provided at tourist spots where lakhs of people visit. “It is very unfortunate and I am deeply upset,” he told Deccan Chronicle.