Minister Dermot Ahern condemns assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., expressed shock and sadness at the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, in Colombo last night.
The Minister said,
'I condemn in the strongest terms this appalling act.  I offer my condolences to Mr. Kadirgamar's family and to the Government and people of Sri Lanka on the death of a courageous statesman.  I hope that his murder will not impede efforts towards the achievement of peace and development in the region.
I met Minister Kadirgamar in January when I visited Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.  I was impressed by his commitment to peace and dialogue and his dedication to a better future for all of the people of his country.  His death is a great loss to Sri Lanka.'

Note for Editors
Minister Ahern met Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in Colombo in January 2005 during his visit to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.  Mr. Chris Flood, the Irish Government's Special Envoy for follow-up on the tsunami also had a number of meetings with Minister Kadirgamar during his visits to the region, most recently on 22 July.