World leaders condemn suicide attack
[Tuesday, October 17, 2006- 10.30 GMT]

The United States today condemned yesterday’s suicide attack on the naval convoy at the Digampathana transit camp that has so far resulted in the death of 98 unarmed navy personnel. The US also extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.

Meanwhile Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan too condemned the attack and warned “against a renewed civil war in Sri Lanka between the Government and Tamil separatists after the latest appalling suicide bombing’. He called on both sides to return to the negotiation table. 

[Full text of the US statement] 

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman, U.S. Department of State 

The United States condemns yesterday’s suicide attack near Habarana, Sri Lanka that killed more than 90 civilians and members of the Sri Lankan Navy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.

Though there have been no claims of responsibility, this attack is in keeping with the tactics of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a group long designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Department of State. As we and others in the international community have made clear, the LTTE must renounce the use of terror. Only through the cessation of violence, a renewed commitment to peace talks, and constructive engagement by both sides can a political solution to this conflict be achieved.

 PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: October 17, 2006 -  10.30 GMT