The Hindu : International : Ready for peace, says Sri Lankan Army chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 07, 2005

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Ready for peace, says Sri Lankan Army chief

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's new Army commander Sarath Fonseka on Tuesday said the armed forces "will aim at moving forward the peace process," despite "a few terrorist attacks that are taking place right now."

Referring to the escalation in attacks in the northern and eastern districts since Friday, which have claimed 26 lives including 15 army personnel, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said there was need to re-establish contact with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"We have to establish contact with the LTTE as early as possible to see if we can come to some settlement. They can also assist us to overcome this situation."

The Army was prepared "for any situation" and would not lower its guard.

At his first press conference after assuming charge, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said he suspected the LTTE's hand in the recent attacks though the rebels denied involvement.

While the incidents in the east were inter-ethnic violence, the northern strikes bore the mark of the LTTE. "There is no evidence, but the LTTE is very powerful in Jaffna and these cannot happen without the decision of the LTTE. There is no one else capable of carrying out such attacks."

Asked whether he saw these attacks as a precursor to a war, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said: "I don't think so". Even if the LTTE caused these attacks it was by only a small group or two.

Government condemns attack

Condemning Tuesday's claymore attack, the government said, "the LTTE is engaged in a stealth war against the security forces using the cover of the ceasefire agreement."

The LTTE's "strategy" was "to provoke a confrontation," but "as a responsible government, we will act with restraint," while taking "all measures" to maintain law and order in Jaffna, the government said.

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