NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY CONDEMNS TERRORIST KILLINGS INSRI LANKA
February 1, 1996 No. 13
AXWORTHY CONDEMNS TERRORIST KILLINGS IN
SRI LANKA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed his shock at the January
31 bombing in downtown Colombo which killed over 70 people and injured hundreds of
others.
"Canada strongly condemns this cowardly act of terrorism and the devastating loss
of innocent lives," said Mr. Axworthy. "Violence of this nature will only
exacerbate the conflict. I wish to extend Canada's deepest condolences to the
families, friends and colleagues of the victims in the hope that the perpetrators
will be brought to justice."
While no group has claimed responsibility for the act, the nature of the bombing
carries all the markings of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Canada
has repeatedly appealed to the LTTE and to the Government of Sri Lanka to cease
hostilities and negotiate a peaceful, lasting settlement.
Canada continues to support a negotiated political settlement to this long-standing conflict in Sri Lanka, believing the Sri Lankan government's upcoming
constitutional reform package will provide a sound basis for a peaceful resolution
of the conflict.
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