"The EU Council Presidency condemns today's shell attack by the LTTE on a diplomatic delegation visiting the Batticaloa region in the east of the country by invitation of the Sri Lankan Government. We wish the ambassador of the Italian Republic and other delegation members who have suffered injury a swift and complete recovery.
This serious incident renews the European Union's concerns about the current developments in Sri Lanka. The European Union urges both sides to stop the violence immediately and to return to the negotiating table without delay in order to find a viable solution to the conflict on the basis of constructive proposals.
The Presidency reiterates the EU's readiness to continue to support the peace process in Sri Lanka within the framework of the so-called "Tokyo Co-Chairs"."
The diplomatic delegation came under LTTE shell fire this Tuesday (27 February) while stopping near Batticaloa. The group, which had been invited by the Sri Lankan Government and was accompanied by the Human Rights Minister, consisted of the ambassadors from Italy, Japan, France, the USA and Germany as well as several representatives of the United Nations and the Sri Lankan Government. The Italian ambassador was injured in the attack and is currently receiving treatment.
