May 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said the LTTE has once again demonstrated to the world its total commitment to violence and terror to achieve its separatist goals and its absolute contempt for democracy and human rights.

Expressing condolence to the families of those many killed and wounded when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber rammed into a bus carrying police personnel in Colombo today, the President urged all the citizens to remain calm and not to be provoked by this brutal terror attack.

Full text of the communiqué issued by the Presidential Secretariat follows:

I hasten to unreservedly condemn the latest act of cowardice and brutality by the LTTE, in exploding a bomb that has killed and injured many civilians and police personnel, in Colombo, today.

I wish to first extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families of those killed, and call upon blessings for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this act of wanton savagery.

With this bomb attack on a busy street, the LTTE has once again demonstrated to the world its total commitment to violence and terror to achieve its separatist goals in Sri Lanka, and its absolute contempt for democracy and human rights.

Repeated savagery of this order underlines and reiterates the need for concerted action by all those who cherish democracy, human rights and the values of civilized society, to eradicate the menace of terrorism of which the LTTE remains the bloodiest example today.

While understanding the deep shock and revulsion felt by all at this loss of life and limb caused by the LTTE, I call upon the people to remain calm and not be provoked by this further display of its unmitigated terror. Your continued patience and restraint in the face of such undisguised savagery is the best way to assist the Security Forces to succeed in their operations to defeat terrorism in our country.