UN appeals for protection of civilians following suicide attack in Sri Lanka
By eTN Staff writer | Apr 10, 2008
The United Nations on Tuesday urged all parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka to do everything they can to protect civilians, after a suicide attack this weekend in the capital, Colombo, claimed the lives of 15 people.
In a statement issued on April 8 by the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, the UN strongly condemned Sunday's attack which occurred during a sporting event. Among those killed were Government Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and several well-known athletes.
Sri Lanka has witnessed several attacks in the past few months, following the Government's decision earlier this year to end the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement that halted a decades-long conflict with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Condemning all violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, the UN appealed to all parties to seek a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict.
Source: United Nations
April 10, 2008
Posted in: Sri Lanka