SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SHOCK AT ASSASSINATION OF TAMIL LIBERATION FRONT LEADER IN SRI LANKA

29 July 1999

Press Release
SG/SM/7083

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SHOCK AT ASSASSINATION OF TAMIL LIBERATION FRONT LEADER IN SRI LANKA

19990729 This statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is shocked to learn of the assassination of Neelan Thiruchelvam, a prominent member of the Sri Lankan parliament from the Tamil United Liberation Front, who was actively involved in constitutional reform and who had tirelessly defended human rights and contributed to the search for a political solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General condemns this act of terrorism in the strongest terms. There could be no better tribute to Mr. Thiruchelvam's memory than to bring an end to the senseless violence in that long-suffering country.

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