In the aftermath of Sunday’s attack which killed Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 14 others and injured more than 83, the International Community Monday reiterated the urgent need for a negotiated political solution to end the longstanding ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
The European Union, the United States and Australia in separate statements called for an end to hostilities and the resumption of peace talks as the only way forward if peace was to return to Sri Lanka.
"I am deeply shocked by the heinous attack on Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. I strongly condemn this suicide attack, which killed Minister Fernandopoulle, 14 civilians and injured many innocent bystanders,” EU External Relations Chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
She said the EU condemned all forms of terrorism and violence against civilians and continued to believe that there could be no military solution to the conflict but only a negotiated political settlement that could pave the way for lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
The United States insisted that it was not continued violence but a political solution that offered the way forward to end the ethnic conflict.
A US embassy statement said the United States strongly condemned the attack that claimed the life of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
“The United States denounces this vicious and reprehensible terrorist attack on civilians in the strongest possible terms. Its perpetrators have achieved nothing other than to cause further suffering among the people of Sri Lanka. Not continued violence but only a political solution was the way forward to end the country’s longstanding conflict,” it said.
The Australian government said a political settlement developed in dialogue with all affected communities was urgently needed to bring lasting peace to the country.
It said “the use of terrorist methods by the LTTE is completely unacceptable.”
The Australian government sent its “most sincere condolences to Mr. Fernandopulle’s family and the families of others killed and injured in this terrible attack.”
It said it was concerned about the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka and condemned terrorism in all its forms.
“Sri Lanka’s conflict cannot be resolved militarily. Australia encourages the Sri Lankan government and all parties involved to redouble their efforts to develop realistic proposals to support a political solution to the conflict,” it added.
The European Union, the United States and Australia in separate statements called for an end to hostilities and the resumption of peace talks as the only way forward if peace was to return to Sri Lanka.
"I am deeply shocked by the heinous attack on Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. I strongly condemn this suicide attack, which killed Minister Fernandopoulle, 14 civilians and injured many innocent bystanders,” EU External Relations Chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
She said the EU condemned all forms of terrorism and violence against civilians and continued to believe that there could be no military solution to the conflict but only a negotiated political settlement that could pave the way for lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
The United States insisted that it was not continued violence but a political solution that offered the way forward to end the ethnic conflict.
A US embassy statement said the United States strongly condemned the attack that claimed the life of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
“The United States denounces this vicious and reprehensible terrorist attack on civilians in the strongest possible terms. Its perpetrators have achieved nothing other than to cause further suffering among the people of Sri Lanka. Not continued violence but only a political solution was the way forward to end the country’s longstanding conflict,” it said.
The Australian government said a political settlement developed in dialogue with all affected communities was urgently needed to bring lasting peace to the country.
It said “the use of terrorist methods by the LTTE is completely unacceptable.”
The Australian government sent its “most sincere condolences to Mr. Fernandopulle’s family and the families of others killed and injured in this terrible attack.”
It said it was concerned about the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka and condemned terrorism in all its forms.
“Sri Lanka’s conflict cannot be resolved militarily. Australia encourages the Sri Lankan government and all parties involved to redouble their efforts to develop realistic proposals to support a political solution to the conflict,” it added.
