Government vehemently condemns the cowardly assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle

The government vehemently condemns the cowardly assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle by the LTTE this morning. A press release issued by the government’s Information Department says the government also expressed its deepest sorrow regarding the deaths of others killed in the attack. Mr. Fernandopulle was an outspoken politician with exceptional attributes of courage. He was a democrat and appeared for the rights of all communities. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to the Sri Lankan political firmament and especially to his colleagues in Parliament and the People of Katana and the Gampaha district.
The government says his demise will be mourned by all those who espouse democratic values and by all citizens regardless of ethnic identity and religious faith. The government emphasised that this act of terrorism underscores the importance of eliminating terrorism from the country. The government extended its deepest condolences to the wife and children of Mr. Fernandopulle and to the families of all those who died in the attack.