President condemns former Afghan President’s killing

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was deeply grieved by the death of Afghanistan’s former president Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was assassinated in a suicide attack on Tuesday.

In a condolence message sent to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the President condemned the attack and offered the Sri Lankan people’s and the government’s condolences to the family of the assassinated High Peace Council Chairman.

The funeral ceremony of Rabbani is scheduled for Friday.

The full text of the President Rajapaksa’s message is below:

H.E. Hamid Karzai  President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

I was deeply grieved to hear the news of the assassination of former President of Afghanistan and Chairman of the High Peace Council, Professor Burhanudin Rabbani, earlier today (22).

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in condemning this dastardly act of terror that has led to the silencing of an advocate of peace, and offer deepest condolences to the members of the family of Prof. Rabbani.

Sri Lanka will continue to stand steadfast in her resolve to combat violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to safeguard the security of the peace-loving people of our region.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were wounded and with the peace-loving people of Afghanistan during this time.

May Your Excellency and the people of Afghanistan be blessed with the strength to continue to strive for peace in your land. (Colombo Page)