This afternoon the LTTE attacked a convoy of Army vehicles in the general area of Orankatte in the Jaffna peninsula by exploding a claymore mine. As a result of the explosion, 10 Army personnel were killed and 5 injured. The government condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms.

This attack comes two days after a delegation of the Co-Chair countries met the LTTE in Kilinochchi and delivered a strong message, which the respective Capitals wanted communicated to the LTTE. The LTTE has shown complete contempt to the diplomatic efforts made by the Co-Chair countries. It is clear that the LTTE as in the past has shown scant regard for diplomatic efforts and messages. The government calls upon the Co-Chair countries to follow-through with the intended consequences at the earliest. We believe that such actions could take the strain off the ceasefire, by preventing the escalation of violence.

The government expresses its condolences to the families of the Army personnel killed in the explosion.

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