MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (13:17:15): I too rise to join this motion to offer my condolences, and specifically I would also like to acknowledge Dr Ratnam and Mr Ondarchie and the very deep and close connection that this has to them. Like so many across the world and in this chamber, I was appalled and so incredibly saddened upon hearing the news of the awful terror attacks in Sri Lanka. The brutal murder of so many innocent people—meeting, worshipping and celebrating in churches and hotels. The fact that this attack followed so closely on the Christchurch tragedy makes it all the more heartbreaking and compounds that grief, and leaves us yet again wondering, ‘How does this happen?’, and more importantly, ‘What can we do to stop it?’. I join in mourning for the victims, the survivors and the community which this attack has so deeply affected. To the people of Sri Lanka and to the many Sri Lankans in my electorate and in Victoria: you are in our hearts and our minds, and we send our love.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Condolence Motion – Sri Lanka
