“No other organization in Sri Lanka is capable of deploying suicide bombers” [Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10.00 GMT]

SLMM completes report on incident. Condemns attack saying it has the hallmark of an LTTE attack.

A suicide bomber this morning assassinated Major-General Parami Kulatunga the third highest ranking officer in the Sri Lankan Army. An attempt on the Army Commander Sarath Fonseka in April, though seriously injuring him, failed to kill him.

Major-General Kulatunga, the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, was traveling to a military base when his convoy was rammed by a motorcyclist, at 7.45 this morning, causing an explosion which killed the Major-General, his driver Sergeant Gomes and Corporal Buddika.

Government Spokesman for Defence and National Security, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the assassination of Major General Parami Kulatunga was undoubtedly a LTTE terrorist act. “No other organization in Sri Lanka is capable of deploying suicide bombers”, the Minister stressed, on the Media Centre for National Security website.

“Although the main target of the Tamil Tiger terrorists was a top military officer, their selection of the place, day and time for the attack, clearly proves that they were deliberate in their attempt to ensure civilians too fall victims in the attack, thereby create panic and confusion among the civilians and provoke them”, the Minister added.

The Government condemning today’s attack said the bombing was carried out with total disregard for the international community’s repeated calls for the LTTE to cease all violence and acts of terrorism.

In a release the Government further says the LTTE is clearly intent on crippling the work of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. The LTTE has called for the replacement of SLMM monitors from EU countries, who comprise two third of its total strength.

Spokesperson of the SLMM Omarsson said the monitors had completed a report on today’s incident but details would not be disclosed as yet. He said according to their investigations it was a well planned suicide attack and assassination. The SLMM condemns the attack totally, Omarsson said.

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Last Updated Date: June 26, 2006 -10.00 GMT