I was deeply shocked by the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. At this tragic time, I offer my sympathy and condolences to his grieving family and to his friends and colleagues.

This senseless murder robs Sri Lanka of a man of great stature and dignity who had dedicated himself to finding a peaceful and democratic solution to his country's ills. He will be greatly missed.

This was truly a vicious terrorist act and its perpetrators must be brought to justice. I am particularly saddened because I see the clear intention of the killers is to restart conflict and to rob the worthy people of Sri Lanka of the peace, reconciliation and prosperity they so clearly deserve after decades of civil war and the devastating tsunami of December 2004.