Attack on Lankan cricketers funded by elements in Sri Lanka: Pakistan PM

Lahore Liberty Attack: File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore was funded by elements from the island nation, said Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, based on information given to him by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“In Libya, the Sri Lankan President told me they had clues that the attack on the [Sri] Lankan team was funded from Sri Lanka. I told him if he was willing to share these clues, we could send our officials from the Interior Ministry,” Mr. Gilani told journalists here.

Mr. Gilani said he had asked Mr. Rajapaksa to share more information so that Pakistan’s Interior Ministry team could be sent to probe the issue further.

Six players and 20 others were injured when a convoy of the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by a group of terrorists outside a stadium in Lahore on March 3.

Mr. Gilani said his government was pursuing a long-term and a multi-pronged strategy to root out terrorism from the country.