Lord Malloch-Brown condemns LTTE attack

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State Lord Malloch-Brown, issuing a statement on March 10 on the suicide attack on a religious festival in Akuressa states: "I strongly condemn Tuesday's suicide attack on a religious festival in Matara.

"My thoughts are with the victims of this attack and with their families, including Mahinda Wijesekara, Post and Telecommunications Minister. All such cowardly attacks on civilians are abhorrent and the targeting of a religious festival even more so", states the British High Commission in a press release.

"Tuesday's attack is a reminder that conflict affects all Sri Lankan communities in all parts of the island. I remain equally concerned about the many civilian casualties in the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, including the recent killing of an ICRC humanitarian worker.

"I reiterate the UK's belief that a political solution taking into account the legitimate concerns of all Sri Lankan communities is essential to bring about sustainable peace."