Govt. strongly condemns Omidiyagama LTTE massacre

COLOMBO: The government has strongly condemned the massacre of twelve civilians by the LTTE at Omidiyamadu near Welikanda in the Polonnaruwa District on May 29.

The Government's statement: The twelve civilians were male workers involved in the reconstruction of an irrigation tank, which is expected to directly benefit the people in this area. This massacre is similar to the massacre of farmers, while attending their paddy fields on 24 April in Gomarankadawala in the Trincomalee district and is likely to be another attempt by the LTTE to instigate a communal backlash in the area.

The government has appealed to the people to remain calm in the face of this terror attack intended to disrupt and cripple the peace process.

It is precisely due to such acts of terror which the LTTE continues to carry out with impunity, that it is reported that the Council of Ministers of the European Union has made a unanimous decision on May 29 to list the LTTE as a terrorist organization.

The government strongly condemns this act of terrorism and has taken all necessary efforts to ensure that law and order is maintained. The government expresses its sympathy with the families of those killed.