Releasing a statement the government condemned the LTTE suicide bomb attack and pledged to continue its war against terrorism.

The full statement follows:
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 Muslims at worship in the Mosque at Katthankudy in the East, in April 1993, in its war on 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 their humanitarian mission to flush out the terrorists 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 securityforces 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 speedy recovery of the injured.