The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack on October 6 in Anuradhapura that claimed the lives of Major General (retired) Janaka Perera and Dr. Raja Johnpulle and their spouses. Also killed in this heinous suicide bombing, which occurred during the ceremonial opening of the office of the North Central Province opposition leader, were several members of the provincial council and numerous other innocent bystanders. We express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the people of Sri Lanka.

Major General Perera led a distinguished career in the armed forces of Sri Lanka and subsequently as a diplomat in Australia and Indonesia. Dr. Johnpulle, a medical practitioner and the district manager of the United National Party for Anuradhapura, served his country as a diplomat in the former Soviet Union.

The United States denounces this reprehensible attack on civilians. Its perpetrators have advanced no cause other than to bring further suffering to the people of Sri Lanka. Only a political solution, not further violence, can provide a way forward to ending the country's deadly conflict.