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Co-Chairs ask Colombo to finalise devolution plan

COLOMBO: The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, U.S. and E.U.) of Sri Lanka on Saturday jointly expressed their strong concerns about the termination of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement by the government of Sri Lanka and urged it to finalise the “politically sustainable devolution plan” amid claims by the military that at least 81 cadres of the LTTE were killed in clashes in the north.

A statement issued here said that the Co-Chairs articulated their concerns in individual statements. “The Co-Chairs support a continued Norwegian role as facilitator. The Co-Chairs emphasise their belief that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, and reiterate their support for a negotiated settlement.

“Thus, they urge the government of Sri Lanka to finalise a politically sustainable devolution plan; urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians and allow access by humanitarian aid agencies to populations in need; express deep concern about the human rights situation and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka, and call for continued monitoring of the human rights situation by such means as to assure an appropriate role for the U.N. and request the government of Sri Lanka provide access to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Kilinochchi for representatives of the Co-Chairs and the facilitator.”

Separately, the military said troops engaged in fierce artillery duel with LTTE cadres on Saturday morning, killing at least 15 terrorists and injuring scores as troops further advanced into “non-liberated” Palaikkuli general area.

In a statement the Defence Ministry said that security forces in its attempt to “liberate thousands of civilians stranded in LTTE captivity marched forward, despite resistance fire from terrorists.” It said troops have overrun an LTTE strongpoint during the military onslaught. A soldier was report killed, while five other soldiers sustained injuries during the advance, the Ministry said.

Further, in an informal interaction with journalists on Friday night, Army Chief Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said the troops have begun advancing into non-liberated areas of Wanni and Northern fronts in five major offensive divisions.

He revealed that two offensive divisions from Jaffna would join the advancing troops from Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya fronts.

The Ministry, quoting reports from Wanni and Jaffna battlefronts, claimed that at least 66 LTTE cadres were killed and many others were injured as soldiers continued to attack LTTE defences in the region on Friday.

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