President condemns Pakistan blasts

PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapaksa who met Pakistani High Commissioner Shahzad A. Chaudry following the bomb blasts in Karachi yesterday expressed his profound sorrow at the loss of over 130 lives, to the Government and the people of Pakistan.

President Rajapaksa condemned the bomb attacks targeting the motorcade of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who had returned to Pakistan the previous day.

The President told the High Commissioner that Sri Lanka, as a country which has suffered immensely by acts of terrorism, understood the pain and anguish caused by this act of carnage.

He reiterated the need for SAARC countries to work together to end the scourge of terrorism.

Earlier in a statement, the President said: “This attack with its great toll of human life attracts the strongest denunciation as it has been carried out at a time when the people of Pakistan are looking forward to general elections, for a peaceful and orderly transition of power, in keeping with the traditions of democracy.

“As a neighbour of Pakistan that has suffered its own share of the brutality of terrorism, we share with the Government and the people of Pakistan our profound sorrow at the loss of life, and the suffering of the families of those killed, as well as those injured, to whom we wish speedy recovery.

“We assure the Government and the people of Pakistan of our strongest support against the forces of terror who seek to undermine the stability of Pakistan and the peaceful way of the life of its people.”