Prime Minister Hun Sen condemned the Sri Lanka attacks. FN
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday condemned Sunday’s terrorist atrocities in Sri Lanka in which at least 310 people were killed and 500 injured.
He also reminded Cambodia’s security forces to remain vigilant in preventing all forms of terrorism.
“I take this opportunity to strongly condemn the terrorism in Sri Lanka in which, as of now, the death toll has increased to 300, and 500 have been injured,” he said while presiding over a graduation ceremony for more than 2,000 National University of Management students on Koh Pich in the capital on Tuesday.
The number of dead from suicide bomb blasts at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka stood at 310 as of Tuesday, with around 500 injured. The Sri Lankan government has blamed local Islamic extremist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath for the attacks and 40 suspects were reportedly arrested on Tuesday.
“This is what I always remind our police, military police and armed forces who are in charge of providing security. I always tell them that if you see still water, don’t assume that there are no poisonous creatures in it. Don’t let Cambodia be a shelter for terrorists or a target for terrorism,” he said.
He said leading a country means a leader must issue commands and have techniques to control situations to make a country peaceful and happy, and not allow terrorists to kill its citizen.
He also expressed his appreciation for the security forces keeping the country secure, particularly during last week’s Khmer New Year celebrations. He asked that people not generalise when individuals within the security forces commit wrongdoing. He said the police make a lot of sacrifices for the public.
In mid-March, 50 people were killed in shootings in two mosques in New Zealand. Hun Sen considered what could be learned from this and the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.
“The experiences in Sri Lanka and New Zealand give us a lot of lessons. [We] must continue to control thoroughly the use of weapons – the freedom to use guns is not the freedom to harm the happiness of people.
“Some countries experience [mass] shootings almost every year, like the shootings on students. This is because of a gun problem. But guns in Cambodia are strictly controlled. But even [when control is] strict, there can still be problems,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Sunday issued a statement condemning the Sri Lanka attacks.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia condemns in the strongest terms this senseless and deplorable act of violence. The RGC is firmly committed to the fight against terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations,” it said.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia and the people of Cambodia stand in solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka at this difficult moment and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured victims,” it added.
Political analyst Lao Mong Hay said Hun Sen had good reason for considering the terrorist attacks on churches in Sri Lanka as Cambodia has a number of them around the country.
“If and when such control is effectively imposed, the prime minister must first and foremost impose strict controls on the inventory of guns and ammunition that government agencies have in their possession,” he said.
