Statement by the EU Heads of Mission in Colombo, 25 April 2006

The European Union Heads of Mission in Colombo condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on civilians that took place on Sunday night in Gomarankadawela village, 33 km northwest of Trincomalee. This is the second episode of communal violence in the past three weeks.

It follows the market bombing in Trincomalee where many people died from across all three major ethnic groups.
Subsequent ethnic clashes in Trincomalee resulted in more loss of life, injury and destruction of property. This violence strikes the most vulnerable groups in the society.

The targeting and killing of civilians is abhorrent and inhuman. It serves no military purpose. The intention of pitting one ethnic group against another is simply to create havoc and to stop the majority of moderate voices in Sri Lanka achieving the negotiated peace they want and deserve.

Sri Lanka has tragically witnessed episodes of such ethnic violence in its past and knows the heavy cost such violence has for its country and citizens.

The EU calls for the perpetrators to be found and brought to justice effectively and rapidly.