The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General was profoundly distressed by the reported killing on 25 October of more than 20 ethnic Tamil inmates of the rehabilitation centre in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka. He trusts that the authorities will make every effort with a view to bring to justice those responsible by conducting an impartial inquiry. He also appeals to all parties in Sri Lanka to refrain from any further escalation of violence, especially terrorist acts, which he condemns in the strongest possible terms.
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