NEWS RELEASES

July 7, 2004 (4:00 p.m. EDT) No. 76

CANADA CONDEMNS SUICIDE BOMBING IN SRI LANKA

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today denounced yesterday's suicide bombing in Colombo, which killed four members of the Sri Lankan police and wounded numerous others.

"At present, no person or group has claimed responsibility for this deplorable act," said Minister Graham. "I urge all parties to refrain from casting blame while an investigation is under way. In addition, I urge all parties to reinvigorate their efforts to create the conditions necessary to restart formal peace talks. On behalf of all Canadians, I extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families."

In recent years, Canada has provided financial assistance and expert advice in support of a sustainable political solution to the long-standing conflict. Most recently, Canada funded an observer group to monitor Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections, which took place on April 2, 2004.

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