DUBLIN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Irish President Michael D. Higgins on Sunday expressed great concern over the heavy loss of life in a series of bomb attacks that rocked Sri Lanka earlier in the day.

In a statement, the president said that people in Ireland have "heard with great concern of the heavy loss of life that has happened at places of worship in Sri Lanka, at a time of religious significance."

"The right to the freedom of worship is a fundamental right," he said.

In the statement, Higgins expressed the "sympathies and solidarity of the people of Ireland to the families of those who died and those who have been injured" in the attacks.

Multiple explosions hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday, leaving at least 185 dead and more than 400 injured. There has been no claim of responsibility so far for the multiple blasts.