Government condemns LTTE attack on diplomats
[Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 8.30 GMT]     

The Government has condemned in the strongest terms today's attack on diplomats by the LTTE and reiterated its position on the need to eliminate terrorism. 

The attack took place when senior western diplomats, accompanied by the Minister for Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe visited Batticaloa to asses the resettlement process of IDPs now in progress there.

A statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama on the mortar and artillery attack carried out by the LTTE in Batticaloa this morning states: "The LTTE has once again demonstrated its terrorist nature by launching an attack on the Diplomatic Corps on their visit to Batticaloa, on the east coast of Sri Lanka, on a humanitarian mission.  

This mortar attack was made when a number of senior diplomats comprising the Ambassadors of USA, Italy and Germany were landing at an airfield in Batticaloa. Seven security personnel and the Ambassador of Italy have
sustained injuries. This visit was undertaken to assess the resettlement process that is currently in progress in the East of Sri Lanka. These areas have now been substantially cleared of the LTTE and the resettlement of IDPs is currently taking place. The Human Rights & Disaster Management Minister Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe led the mission. 

The Government of Sri Lanka condemns this attack by the LTTE in the strongest terms and reiterates its position on the need to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. I take this opportunity to call upon the international community to support the endeavours of the Government of Sri Lanka to address the scourge of terrorism and to pressure the LTTE to give up terrorism and return to the democratic fold. Once again, this is a
reminder for the international community to take effective measures to eliminate fund raising and weapons procurement by the L TTE in foreign
countries.

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Last Updated Date: February 27, 2007 - 8.30 GMT