The Sri Lankan government expressed concern about the escalating violence in Gaza, resulting in the “tragic loss of civilian life”, in a statement released on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka called on both sides to “exercise restraint” and said that “cross-border provocations” needed to cease.
“Sri Lanka calls upon the parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint in a bid to halt the violence and ensure a climate conducive to the recommencement of negotiations for a lasting solution to the conflict. Sri Lanka calls upon the parties to engage at the earliest in direct dialogue which is the only viable initiative for sustained peace and security in the region,” the statement said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and conveyed his condolences, according to his Twitter account.
The President yesterday called #Palestinian President Abbas to inquire about the situation in #Gaza & offered his condolences to lives lost.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) July 14, 2014