Sri Lanka today expressed deep concern over the loss of civilian lives and damage to property in the ongoing Israeli military offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
"Cross border provocations in locations in parts of Israel also need to cease," an external affairs ministry statement said.
Sri Lanka calls for utmost restraint in order to halt the violence and a dialogue towards sustained peace and security in the region, it said.
The statement followed President Mahinda Rajapaksa's telephone call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offering condolences for the victims of the Israeli operation.
