Among the Ministers targetted at the attack in Akuressa yesterday, was Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie. The latter recounted his harrowing experience to The Bottom Line with the fervent wish that the terror threat will be extinguished from the country soon.

“Last morning we were in Akuressa to attend the National Programme celebrating Milad-un- Nabi organised by the Home Affairs Minister, Chandrasiri Gajadheera. The event was to celebrate our holy Prophet Mohommed’s birthday. It was so well organised that it was attended by all religious leaders irrespective of caste, colour or creed. We had just received the blessings of the religious leaders, and we were walking towards the venue when suddenly a blast took place a few yards behind us, seriously injuring one minister, Mahinda Wijesekara.”

However Minister Fowzie along with Ministers Ameer Ali, Chandrasiri Gajadheera, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and Pandu Bandaranaike escaped unscathed. “God saved us,” Fowzie said, “We didn’t have a scratch, but our bodies were covered with blood and flesh of the dead.”

“We condemn this act. As Muslims we have had many experiences of terrorists killing our people. There have been incidents where they have killed Muslims while they are in prayer. This was an important day for us as we were celebrating the birth of our holy Prophet Mohommed. I offer my condolences to the families of the dead and I appeal to the Muslim Community to support the President, and help him wipe out the terror threat in Sri Lanka, because if these acts continue like this we will be wiped out.”