COLOMBO - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has sent a message to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, condemning the terrorist attack targeting civilians at a railway station in Urumqi, capital of China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region last Wednesday, the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry said on Saturday.

The president said the perpetrators of the cowardly attack had targeted innocent civilians, a large number of whom have been injured, adding that attacking unarmed civilians demonstrates the cruel and barbaric nature of terrorism.

"The government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of China, particularly the members of the bereaved family, and also wish a speedy recovery for those who have been injured in this incident. The people of Sri Lanka who had suffered immensely under the yoke of terrorism for almost three decades, until its eradication from Sri Lankan soil just five years ago, share the pain and anguish of the Chinese people over this wanton act of terrorism," he said.

President Rajapaksa noted that the Xinjiang incident yet again underscores the danger that terrorism poses to all humanity, and the urgent need for decisive and concerted action to eradicate the menace.

While condemning the heinous attack unreservedly, the president assured Sri Lanka's steadfast solidarity with the government of China in fighting against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.