Sri Lankan High Commissioner and family injured in Islamabad attack
[March 18, 2002 - 11.00 GMT]

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, General Sri Lal Weerasooriya, his wife and daughter were among the approximately 46 people injured in a grenade attack on a Protestant Church in Islamabad Sunday morning. 

Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga on learning of the attack, expressed shock and concern Sunday afternoon.

Five people are reported dead including the wife and daughter of an American diplomat. About 60 – 70 worshippers had been attending Sunday service when the church was attacked.

Sources at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo said that the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and his family were out of danger.

The High Commissioner for Pakistan in Sri Lanka said that the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and his wife had suffered minor injuries and that their daughter was in a state of shock. He also said that his government had taken all measures to carry out investigations to bring the culprits to book. 

Meanwhile US Assistant Secretary of State for Christina Rocca who flew to India following a two-day visit to Sri Lanka was today reported to have cancelled her talks in India and flown to Islamabad following the attack which killed two members of an American diplomat. 

Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “We are outraged and deeply saddened by the despicable attack on an international church in Islamabad during Sunday morning worship.”

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Last Updated Date: March 18, 2002  - 11.00 GMT.