Anuradhapura attack condemned

Dastardly act - JHU

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has expressed its deep shock and grief over the killing of Major General Janaka Perera and several others in a barbaric terrorist suicide bomb attack in Anuradhapura yesterday.

The JHU in a condolence message issued yesterday said General Janaka Perera had rendered yeoman service towards the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity by making great sacrifices in the war front against the illusive Eelam dream of Tamil separatist terrorists. Perera who was a master military tactician played a decisive role in liberating Welioya and the Jaffna Fort from the hands of the terrorists.

He was undoubtedly one among the handful of leading military strategists and his untimely demise was a cause of grief for all patriotic people.

The message signed by JHU General Secretary Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said the JHU cautioned General Perera when he joined the North Central Provincial Council election fray going by the fate that befell Major General Lucky Algama at the hands of LTTE terrorists at a UNP election stage. This incident clearly showed that the LTTE was gunning who had been a serious challenge to them in the past and present.

The release said political parties as well as the people should learn a lesson from this dastardly act perpetrated by the Tiger terrorists. One is that they should not drag military leaders like General Perera into the political battle ground and endanger their lives and that all political parties and leaders including the Opposition Leader should shelve petty and alien political agendas and try to foster national integration and resolve to defeat terrorism.

Heinous terrorist act - UNP (D) Group

The Democratic Group of the United National Party in a message yesterday condemned the brutal suicide attack which deprived the lives of NCP Opposition Leader Major General Janaka Perera, his wife and several key political activists in Anruadhapura.

The message issued by the UNP Democratic Group leader and Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya said.

“We are shocked to learn about the tragic news of the suicide bomb blast which deprived the precious lives of the Opposition Leader of the North Central Provincial Council Major General Janaka Perera and his wife and Dr. John Pulle and his wife together with several others today.

“It is an irreparable loss for the entire nation to lose an outstanding personality and war veteran in the calibre of Major General Janaka Perera at a time when we are faced with the threat of terrorism in the country.

Also Dr. John Pulle was one of our active party stalwarts in the NCP where he was very popular among people as a humble politician. This loss too is something highly sad and tragic. We condemn this heinous terrorist act unleashed by the ruthless LTTE which is smarting under the ongoing onslaught by the Government Forces.

It is no secret to say that the LTTE by resorting to this kind of tactics is hell bent on creating an unsettled condition in the South thereby undermining the military operations in the North. In these circumstances, we remind ourselves of the duties cast upon us to eradicate terrorism from this island without falling prey to these kinds of tactics by the LTTE.

We also convey our deep condolence on the bereaved families of the victims.

 Act of violence - BASL

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday expressed its deep shock over the killing of their members in a suicide terrorist attack in Anuradhapura. The message: The President, the Executive Committee and members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) are shocked and grieved by the tragic deaths of A.C.S. Hameed, M.N. Anoordeen, and Thanuja Sunandani Rajapakse, members of our Association and Mrs. A.C.S. Hameed.

A.C.S. Hameed, M.N. Anoordeen, Ms. Thanuja Sunandani Rajapakse and Mrs. A.C.S. Hameed were victims of an act of violence which the Association unreservedly condemns.

The Association calls upon the Government to adopt all such measures prescribed by Law so that all citizens of the country can live in peace. The Association also reminds those who pursue such acts of violence to adhere to the Rule of Law and to forsake violence.

The Bar Association extends its heartfelt sympathies to the families of our members and to the family members of the Government officials and civilians who have also suffered similar losses, in their hour of grief.