Terming the suicide bombing in Colombo, which seriously wounded the Sri Lankan army chief, as a 'brazen act of terrorism,' Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday spoke to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on phone and conveyed India's solidarity with the government and people of the island in its 'difficult hour.'

Mukherjee said violence was not the answer to any problem and political dialogue was the only way to resolve outstanding issues, an External Affairs Ministry statement in New Delhi said.

He conveyed India's shock at the incident in which Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka was critically injured when a suicide bomber posing as a pregnant woman struck at the army headquarters in Colombo.

The Sri Lankan President appreciated India's gesture and thanked it for the support and solidarity shown, the statement said.