President Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed shock and sadness over the untimely demise of the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence, Minister of Public Security, and other high level officials of the Government of Laos, in a tragic military plane crash on Saturday 17 May 2014.
In a message to his Laos counterpart, Choummaly Sayasone, President Rajapaksa, extended deepest condolences on the tragic accident.
The full text of President Rajapaksa’s letter to the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is as follows:-
His Excellency Choummaly Sayasone
President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Excellency,
It is with deep shock and sadness that I learnt of the untimely demise of Hon. Douangchay Phichit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Hon. Thongbane Sengaphone, Minister of Public Security, together with other high level officials of the Government of Laos in a military plane crash.
The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in extending to Your Excellency and through you, to the Government and the people of Laos, and in particular to the families of the bereaved, our deepest condolences on this tragic accident. Please be assured that the thoughts and prayers of all Sri Lankans are with the people of Laos in their hour of sorrow.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
18 May 2014
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
26 May 2014
