United National Congress offers condolences to the people of Sri Lanka

The UNC offers sincere condolences and sympathies to the people of Sri Lanka.

Though thousands of miles away, we stand firmly as a global community with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters to rebuke and condemn these acts of hate, terror and ill-will to humanity. The attacks on the churches are even more malicious as they occurred on Easter Sunday.

These assaults which come on the heels of the horrific New Zealand massacre, must strengthen our resolve to ensure that we fight valiantly for all people to be able to practice their faith and beliefs without fear or harm. These cowardly offensives, which were meant to break the will and spirit of the Sri Lankan people, require all persons around the world to join hands and reaffirm our commitment to ensure that hate never wins.

These immoral and heinous acts toward innocent lives, must fuel our determination to act to ensure that hate never defeats love. As a world we must proclaim that evil will never conquer goodness.

History has shown us that the Sri Lankan people have always stood defiantly in the face of adversity to restore and rebuild their nation throughout the many horrific moments they have faced such as civil war and the 2004 tsunami.

We pray that they find the strength yet again to rise out of this moment of turmoil and hardship stronger than before. We hope that they know that the love and support of the world are with them at this time.

We in the United National Congress will continue to pray and keep our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in our thoughts.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC

22 April 2019