WASHINGTON, Aug 13: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged Sri Lanka to ensure that the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar does not jeopardize the ceasefire between the government and Tamil Tigers (LTTE).
“Together, we must honour his memory by rededicating ourselves to peace and ensuring that the ceasefire remains in force,” said Ms Rice in a message sent to the Sri Lankan government.
The Sri Lankan government and the LTTE signed a ceasefire agreement in Feb 2002, pledging to seek a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict.
Besides Ms Rice, international monitors, peace envoys and analysts also have appealed to both the government and the Tigers to maintain the ceasefire, reminding them that the resumption of a full-blown conflict would hurt both.
But analysts also warned that high-profile killings, like that of the 73-year-old foreign minister, raised the risk of an escalation in tension and violence.
“I am shocked and saddened by the assassination … this senseless murder was a vicious act of terror, which the United States strongly condemns,” said Ms Rice.
“I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr Kadirgamar’s family and to his friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka who will miss him greatly,” Ms Rice said.
She recalled her last meeting with Mr Kadirgamar in June and observed that he was ‘a man of dignity, honour and integrity.
