The contributing countries to Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, condemn in the strongest terms the unacceptable attack on the Batticaloa district office of SLMM on Friday 13 January.

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission is an impartial, civilian mission that monitors the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement by the Sri Lankan Government and LTTE, at the invitation of the parties to the Agreement. SLMM has always enjoyed the full confidence of the affected populations, and good cooperation on behalf of the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement. The contributing countries expect the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement to ensure the security of SLMM, in accordance with the Agreement, and to ensure that SLMM is given the opportunity to fulfil the responsibilities placed on the mission by the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement.

Explosives detonated under a vehicle belonging to SLMM on the premises of the SLMM's district office in Batticaloa caused serious damage to four vehicles. No one was physically injured in the attack.