SLMM condemns Colombo bomb attack

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 April 2006, 14:45 GMT]


Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is a press release issued from Colombo condemned the "suicide bomb attack that took place at the Sri Lankan Army Head Quarters," and urged the "Sri Lankan Government to equally refrain from any retaliatory actions at this stage and remain committed to the Peace Process."



The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission strongly condemns the suicide bomb attack that took place at the Sri Lankan Army Head Quarters in Colombo earlier today resulting in death and injury of both army personnel and civilians. The attack was aimed at Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka who was subsequently rushed to hospital.

The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission still has limited information about the attack and will for the time being refrain from drawing any immediate conclusions about the possible perpetrators. However we remain at the disposal for the Government of Sri Lanka to assist in making the necessary inquiries.

This attack is yet another serious blow to the Ceasefire Agreement and the Peace Process. It is likely to have very negative effects on the relationship between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers or Tamil Eelam and could jeopardize any possibility for future talks.

The Government armed forces have suffered countless attacks in the last few weeks but have shown restraint and refrained from massive retaliation. We sincerely urge the Sri Lankan Government to equally refrain from any retaliatory actions at this stage and remain committed to the Peace Process.

Almost 300 people have died in attacks and violence this year. More than 150 of those were civilians. War is not an option for this country as it will only bring human misery and death. There is a desperate need for the two Parties to resume talks at all levels if the situation is not to result in a serious conflict that could escalate out of control and lead to war.