The Government of India unreservedly condemns the terrorist bombing incident outside Colombo, Sri Lanka today in which the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan Army, Major General Parami Kulathunga was tragically killed, along with other defence personnel. Several innocent civilians have been seriously injured.

This incident is the latest in a series of recent terrorist attacks which are aimed at undermining the ceasefire and vitiate the environment for a political dialogue.

The Government of India extends its sincere condolences to the Government of Sri Lanka and to the members of the bereaved families. India is determined to stand by the people of Sri Lanka in our common struggle against terrorism, of which both our countries are victims.

It is our view that political processes must be activated through sincere dialogue to arrive at a settlement which takes into account the aspirations of all the sections of the Sri Lankan society, while upholding the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

We welcome the efforts being made by the Government of Sri Lanka to evolve a political consensus in this regard and stand ready to share our own constitutional experience to contribute to this process.