SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS SUICIDE ATTACKS IN SRI LANKA THAT KILLED, WOUNDED

DOZENS OF CIVILIANS; APPEALS FOR END TO VIOLENCE, RETURN TO PEACE PROCESS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the suicide attacks that occurred today in Colombo, Sri Lanka -- one outside the Ministry of Social Services and another in Nugegoda district -- which have killed and wounded dozens of civilians.  He offers his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.  He is also concerned about an aerial attack yesterday, which damaged the office of the United Nations World Food Programme in Kilinochchi.

The Secretary-General appeals for an end to the destructive spiral of violence in Sri Lanka and calls on the parties to the conflict to return to the peace process while making every effort to ensure the protection of civilians.

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For information media • not an official record