US condemns terrorist attacks on buses
[Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 6.30 GMT]    

The United States has condemned the recent bomb attacks on civilian passenger buses at Nittambuwa and Godagama that killed 16 persons injured over 100, and has described them as clear acts of terrorism. Government said these attacks were carried out by the LTTE. 

The US Ambassador in Sri Lanka in a statement issued from Kandy, January 9, 07 states: "The United States condemns the bomb attacks on civilian buses that took place on January 5th and 6th that claimed the lives of numerous innocent civilians and wounded many more. Attacks that deliberately target civilians are clear acts of terrorism. The United States extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.   

We reiterate that there can be no military solution to this conflict. 25 years of terrorism has not improved the lives of the Tamil people. Similarly, the on going violence in Vakarai has caused significant hardship
for Sri Lankans living in that area.  The solution in our view lies in a negotiated settlement that meets the aspirations of all of Sri Lanka's communities -- Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim.  
 
The current APRC process and the SLFP-UNP agreement to cooperate on the peace process mark a significant opportunity to develop a power sharing proposal that can form the basis for renewed peace talks.
 
The United States urges the SLFP, UNP and APRC to accelerate their consideration of the power sharing proposal so that a ceasefire can take hold and talks can begin.

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Last Updated Date: January 10, 2007 - 6.30 GMT