The international community reacted to the bombing of a bus in the central district of Moneragala, with the US condemning the blasts and the United Nations calling for dialogue as the only way to stop further violence.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “strongly condemned” the attacks targeting buses in Sri Lanka, killing and injuring dozens – including children – and coinciding with the formal end of a truce between the Government and the Liberation Tigers.
“The only way to stop further violence in Sri Lanka is through dialogue,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
He also urged the parties concerned “to undertake genuine efforts to achieve a peaceful negotiated solution.”
Earlier this month, Mr. Ban had expressed his concern with the Government’s decision to end the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement that halted a decades-long conflict with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The announcement also sparked concern from High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, who called on both parties to abide by their obligations under international law to protect civilians.
“An intensification of hostilities will likely have a devastating effect on the human rights of many Sri Lankans from all communities,” Ms. Arbour said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo, in a press release, said it “strongly” condemned the attack on a civilian bus.
Expressing condolences to the victims and their families, the US statement said “the targeting of civilians serves to foster fear and cause further suffering among the Sri Lankan people”.
“Only a political solution to the country’s conflict offers a way out of the current cycle of escalating violence,” the statement said.
