Lanka condemns abductions in Nigeria

DPA

Colombo

Commonwealth chair Sri Lanka yesterday denounced the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse sent a letter to his Nigerian counterpart Goodluck Jonathan expressing hope for the safe return of the children.

He said Sri Lanka stood by Nigeria in its efforts to secure their release.

“The incident was reminiscent of a campaign in Sri Lanka in which rebels coerced children into taking up arms against the government,” Rajapakse stated in the letter.

Colombo took over the chairmanship of the 53-member Commonwealth last year.