President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (May 9) vehemently condemned the barbaric act of the LTTE of exploding a bomb targeting innocent civilians at a Cafe in the Ampara Town.

He said he was confident that the people of the East would not be intimidated by this low degrading act of the Tigers and the political parties supporting the outfit, at a time the people were about to enjoy the fruits of democracy by electing a true leader to guide their destinies.

The President reiterated that when everything has been finalised for today's poll and at a time when the people were getting ready to exercise their franchise, such an act could in no way undermine the democratic victory achieved by the people of the East.

President Rajapaksa also said political parties allied with terrorists with defeat staring in the face were planning to threaten and intimidate the people into submission. Similar acts of sabotage were also witnessed during the President's new development drive in the East from time to time.

While expressing confidence that the people of the East would rally together to reap the fruits of the strong democratic framework built through the efforts of the Security Forces, political organisations and the people, he called on them to join hands to defeat the aims of terrorists and enjoy the democratic rights restored to them after 20 years.

The President also expressed his heartfelt grief to members of the families of the deceased victims and also wished a speedy recovery to the injured in the dastardly inhuman attack.

He also issued directives to the relevant parties in connection with security and medical attention to the injured.

Eleven persons were killed and 29 others injured when a parcel bomb ripped through an eatery in Ampara last evening.