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Arbour condemns Weliweriya bomb attack

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has strongly condemned the suicide bombing which killed a Government minister and at least 14 other people at the start of a marathon in Sri Lanka, on April 6.

She also extended her condolences to the bereaved families of the Victims, as the funerals of the victims continued to take place on Thursday, states the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Right's (OHCHR) in a press release.

"Such violence shows a complete disregard for the right to life and security of Sri Lankans, and breaches the most fundamental principles of international law," Arbour said.

The attack is alleged to have been committed by he Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which has been accused of other recent attacks, including bombings of public transport and in other public places.

"I remind the LTTE and other armed groups that attacks which directly or indiscriminately target civilians are crimes under international law," High Commissioner said. "Violent attacks on people taking no active part in hostilities are strictly prohibited."

Such acts of violence also undermine efforts for a meaningful dialogue on improving the situation of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, she said.

UN welcomes TMVP move

The UN yesterday welcomed the release of 11 children from the TMVP as a "step in the right direction," states a UN Press release.

Speaking from Colombo, Neil Buhne, the Resident Coordinator and the senior UN official in Sri Lanka noted the role played by the Government in obtaining the release of the children.

"This is an encouraging development from the TMVP, after lengthy delays on this issue," said Buhne. "We will continue to press for an end to the use of children by both the TMVP and the LTTE, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1612".