The government vehemently condemns the cowardly assassination of the chief secretary of the eastern province Mr H. M Hearath Abeyweera who was suspected to be  killed by LTTE this evening at his office when he was at  work.

The chief secretary of the eastern province was the top most bureaucrat of the civil administration and the brutal act of killing him was clearly intended to paralyze the administration.

Mr Herath Abeyweera ,a senior member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service was a courage's and efficient  officer who was giving the leadership and the guidance to all the development activities of the eastern province. He was a popular officer who had worked for long period in the province with utmost dedication and commitment and served the people fearlessly.  He received the fullest cooperation from all political parties and groups that had entered the democratic mainstream for his efforts to set in normally in the province
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  How ever the government is capable to meet any challenge and continue to carry out all development activities in the eastern province undeterred to ensure that the people would be able to live as equal citizens of the country. The Government wishes convey its deepest condolences to the members of Mr Abeyweera's family. The Government will leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits of this heinous crime to book.

Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information.