Expressing shock at the assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed the hope that the tragedy would not weaken the resolve of the people to achieve a durable peace.
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"The Secretary General is shocked and saddened to learn that a few hours ago, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was shot and killed in Colombo," Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Friday.
"He deplores in the strongest of terms, this criminal and senseless act, and hopes that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice," Dujarric said.
"Sri Lanka has lost a deeply respected statesman dedicated to peace and national unity," the spokesman said.
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