Govt condemns suicide attack says remain committed to end terrorism

(March 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The death toll in Tuesday’s suicide bomb attack increased to 14 as the government declared that it remains committed to rid the country of the terrorist menace.

The Government issued a statement condemning the incident and called all citizens to remain calm. The text of the statement follows;

The Governmentcondemns in the strongest possible terms the LTTE suicide bomb attack on the Milad-un-Nabi Muslim Festival to mark the birthday of Holy Prophet Mohammed, at Godapitiya, Akuressa, Matara this morning around 10.a.m. in which 14 persons were killed and many others injured, including a Government minister.

The Government notes with utmost contempt this wanton act of terrorism and observes that the attack bears the unmistakable signature of the LTTE. The attack reaffirms the fact that the LTTE is not only a ruthless terrorist outfit but also one which has no regard or respect for religion. This is an attack that deliberately targeted the Muslim Community and one that has sought to sow ethnic and religious disharmony.

Selecting of a Muslim shrine and a day sacred to Muslims, both in Sri Lanka and the world over, to carry out this attack, underscores the hatred the LTTE has towards the Muslim population of Sri Lanka, who have suffered considerably under its policies of ethnic cleansing both in the North and East of Sri Lanka. This reminds us of the LTTE’s massacre of more than 100 Muslims at worship in the Mosque at Kaththankudy in the East, in April 1993, in its war of terrorism.

The Government is of the view that this is another desperate act that the LTTE terrorists, now on their last legs, have perpetrated to divert the attention from the humanitarian mission of the Security Forces, to flush them out from their last remaining foothold in the Wanni.

The Government remains unwaveringly committed to rid the country of the terrorist menace and bring about peace. This attack will only serve to strengthen the resolve of the Government and the security forces in this regard.

The Government urges all citizens to remain calm and unprovoked, and support the Security Forces and Police by exercising utmost vigilance as the LTTE, facing imminent annihilation, could very well resort to other similar acts of desperation.

The Government offers its condolences to the families of victims of this brutal attack and wishes the speedy recovery of the injured. -Sri Lanka Guardian