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String of attacks on Sri Lankan forces

V.S. Sambandan

Differences persist on talks venue

COLOMBO: The assault on the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) near the Trincomalee harbour on Saturday is the most serious one in a string of recent incidents on Sri Lankan security forces including the ambush on a road convoy in which at least 13 sailors were killed in Mannar district.

Earlier this week, five Tamil youths were killed in the Trincomalee district.

Saturday's attack, as the island-nation was bracing itself mentally for possible resumption of hostilities, revived memories of the short-lived ceasefire in 1995. On April 19, 1995, LTTE frogmen blasted two naval gunboats in Trincomalee, and sparked a five-year war, referred to as Eelam War III. There has been a sharp escalation in violence since December, killing at least 65 security forces personnel and over 50 civilians in several incidents. Reports of an LTTE-trained civilian force — which security sources estimate to be about 10,000-strong — and claims by self-styled Tamil civilian groups have further complicated the ground situation in the north-east.

Saturday's attack took place in the backdrop of a deadlock in efforts to resume direct talks, stalled since the LTTE's unilateral pull out in early 2003. Though the Government and the rebels agreed in principle to discuss issues relating to implementation aspects of the ceasefire agreement, sharp differences persist on the choice of venue. The Government changed its earlier position that talks should be held in Sri Lanka and consented to any Asian venue. The LTTE insists that the talks, at least the first phase, be held in Oslo.

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