Secretary-General deplores assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister

Shocked and saddened to learn that a few hours ago, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar had been shot and killed in his country's capital, Colombo, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly deplored this "criminal and senseless act" and expressed the hope that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice.

"Sri Lanka has lost a deeply respected statesman dedicated to peace and national unity," Mr Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman in New York.

"The Secretary-General hopes that this tragedy will not weaken the commitment of the people of Sri Lanka to achieve a durable peace in the country," the statement said, adding that Mr. Annan expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and his sympathy with all Sri Lankans in this hour of sorrow.