President Trump says the U.S. 'stands by' Sri Lanka in terror fight after 'terrible, terrible' Easter Sunday attack

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President Donald Trump says that he has spoken with both prime minister and the president of Sri Lanka since Easter Sunday terror attacks.

He spoke to the prime minister today, he said, and the president on Sunday. 

Trump told reporters it was 'terrible, terrible thing' that happened, as he took several questions during the White House Easter Egg Roll, his only public appearance.

He said in a later tweet, 'Spoke to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka this morning to inform him that the United States stands by him and his country in the fight against terrorism. Also expressed condolences on behalf of myself and the People of the United States!' 

Trump said in a since deleted tweet that he'd spoke to the Sri Lankan president, as well. It was not immediately clear why he deleted the message. 

He did not comment on the death toll in either tweet on Monday, avoiding a mistake he made Sunday in a tweet that erroneously claimed bombings killed 138 million people.

If true, the death toll would have been nearly twice that of the Second World War. He sent out a corrected tweet on Sunday that said it was 138 people and counting 

'Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help!' Trump wrote in the first message.

Donald Trump accidentally claimed that the Sri Lanka terrorist attack killed 138 million people in a tweet that stayed up for 20 minutes 

Trump eventually deleted the tweet and posted a new statement with the fixed death toll 

Eight explosions ripped through high-end hotels and churches as suspected suicide bombers blew themselves up on Easter Sunday

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the horrific terrorist attacks

The tweet stayed up for 20 minutes before it was deleted and a new statement was posted. 

'138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels,' Trump wrote in the new tweet. 'The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!'  

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed Sunday that 'several' American citizens were killed in the bombings, which has been blamed on religious extremists.  

Five British citizens, including two dual U.S.-U.K. nationals, were also killed in the bombings, according to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry. 

'These vile attacks are a stark reminder of why the United States remains resolved in our fight to defeat terrorism,' Pompeo said in a statement.  

He said, 'Attacks on innocent people gathering in a place of worship or enjoying a holiday meal are affronts to the universal values and freedoms that we hold dear, and demonstrate yet again the brutal nature of radical terrorists whose sole aim is to threaten peace and security.'

Pompeo said the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital, is currently working to assist U.S. citizens and their families. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed on Sunday that 'several' American citizens were killed in the bombings, which has been blamed on religious extremists

The White House also released an official statement condemning the attacks in the 'strongest terms' possible on Sunday.

'Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded,' it read. 

'We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.' 

A statement on the president's call with the PM that the White House distributed to reporters on Monday morning likewise said, 'President Donald J. Trump called Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning to express condolences to the people of Sri Lanka for the Easter day terrorist attacks that killed nearly 300 and wounded hundreds of others.

'The near simultaneous attacks on Sri Lankan churches and hotels constitute one of the deadliest terrorist events since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States,' the statement acknowledged. 'Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for the President’s concern and updated him on the progress of the investigation into the attacks. 

'President Trump pledged United States support to Sri Lanka in bringing the perpetrators to justice, and the leaders re-affirmed their commitment to the fight against global terrorism.'

Eight explosions ripped through high-end hotels and churches as suspected suicide bombers committed suicide on Sunday.  

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the attacks. 

Pope Francis, speaking to around 80,000 people at the end of his traditional Easter Sunday blessing, addressed the massacre on Sunday  

Pope Francis, speaking to around 80,000 people at the end of his traditional Easter Sunday blessing, addressed the massacre. 

'I want to express my loving closeness to the Christian community, targeted while they were gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence,' he said. 

'I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event.' 

Sri Lanka's police chief had made a nationwide alert 10 days before Sunday's bombings, warning that Islamic extremists planned suicide bombings at 'prominent churches'.