Pakistani leaders apologize

The Pakistani leaders conveyed their apologize to the people and the Government of Sri Lanka for the harm caused to the Sri Lankan players by terrorists in Lahore, a release by the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani immediately telephoned President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kathmandu yesterday and strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan Cricket team .

They expressed their profound sympathy and concern for the welfare of the injured cricketers and assured President Rajapaksa that Pakistan is determined to combat terrorism and will work with the international community and Sri Lanka to defeat terrorism. President Rajapaksa in response stated that he would be sending Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to Islamabad immediately to meet Pakistani leaders to follow up the matter pertaining to the incident.

The Sri Lankan President reiterated Sri Lanka's position that terrorism should be countered with firm resolve worldwide in all its forms and manifestations, the release added.

The President thanked the Pakistani authorities for taking immediate action to provide medical treatment for the injured players and to strengthen security for the team.

He expressed confidence that the culprits would be apprehended and brought to book at the earliest.