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Ready to respond, says Rajapaksa

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Intensified battles along forward lines

COLOMBO: Amid reports of intensified battles along the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) in the Jaffna peninsula, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday announced that his Government was ready to respond to any "gesture of goodwill" and a "move towards a non-violent approach."

In a message on the occasion of the "International Peace Day", Mr. Rajapaksa said "I also reiterate my call for negotiated settlement of the internal strife in our country and extend my hand of friendship to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that is conducting an armed struggle against the state to join in the search for a dignified and just peace for our motherland." Earlier, he told the U.N. General Assembly that his Government was convinced that restoration of democracy, creation of space for dissent and promotion of human rights in the conflict-affected areas were essential for peace process. Mr. Rajapaksa said terrorism cannot be eliminated through military means alone and his Government remained committed to talking with the LTTE.

He said it was hoped that the LTTE would transform itself from a terrorist outfit to one that is committed to dialogue and democracy. The TamilNet claimed that artillery attacks on the LTTE in Vadamaradchi East intensified after an exchange of mortar and gunfire in Nagarkovil. The Army said it was responding to unprovoked fire from the LTTE.

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