The Hindu : International : Sri Lanka co-chairs call for truce

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Sunday, Aug 13, 2006

International

International

Sri Lanka co-chairs call for truce

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Growing humanitarian crisis in the island nation causing concern

COLOMBO: The co-chairs of the Sri Lanka peace process on Saturday called for immediate cessation of hostilities and return to the negotiating table. The counsel came after the latest battle between the Government and the LTTE spread to the Jaffna peninsula.

In a statement issued here the co-chairs — the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Norway — said they are deeply concerned by the continued violence, which is seriously unravelling the ceasefire agreement and peace process in Sri Lanka.

The Government did not take kindly to the co-chairs statement. Defence spokesman and Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters at a special news conference that the Government did not start the war and it was unfair to equate a sovereign Government with a terrorist outfit.

"The co-chairs call on the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to cease hostilities immediately and return to the negotiation table.

"Both parties should make the utmost effort to prevent a further escalation of violence and loss of life.

"Violence is not the way to resolve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The suffering inflicted on innocent civilians is intolerable. The co-chairs remain fully committed to supporting the peace process and the valuable work of the Norwegian facilitator. The personnel of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission in particular must be supported and their security guaranteed", the co-chairs said.

As battle raged in the east and north, with Jaffna peninsula becoming the new theatre of war for both sides, there were reports of mass migration of people. Both sides are blaming each other for the escalation of hostilities.

TamilNet reported that heavy fighting is on at different locations in the southern Jaffna peninsula between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and the Liberation Tigers.

It said the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio confirmed that LTTE forces repelling SLA offensive towards Elephant Pass have now broken through SLA forward defence lines (FDLs) at Muhamalai.

LTTE officials contacted by TamilNet said operations were underway to disrupt a major SLA offensive into Vanni launched late on Friday.

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