By Shamindra Ferdinando
CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman on Monday raised several contentious issues, including forced conscription, extortion and abductions in the east, when he met with the LTTE leadership, in charge of the Batticaloa-Ampara theatre of operations, in a village outside government control.

This was the first instance where a senior government representative had taken up these issues with LTTE commanders responsible for their activity in the east, security sources said.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has repeatedly expressed the belief that human rights particularly those of children facing forcible conscription, extortion, abductions, return of Sinhalese and Muslims who fled their homes in the north-east, re-opening of the Kandy-Jaffna A9 highway all the way to Jaffna, rights of Tamil political parties including former militant groups, were some of the contentious issues that should be considered as a part of a package of issues in the peace process.

"Yes. I raised several contentious issues including forced conscription," Housing and Plantation Infrastructure Minister Thondaman told "The Island" yesterday. A whole range of issues were discussed, he said before he had lunch with the LTTE leaders.

The LTTE responded to these allegations, the minister said while declining to discuss their response before he briefs Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe on the outcome of the talks. He expressed the belief that the LTTE wanted him to brief Premier Wickremesinghe of the situation in the east especially with regard to the contentious issues.

He expressed the belief that he would be able to brief the premier on Tuesday.

Responding to questions, the minister said that Karikalan in charge of the Ampara-Batticaloa theatre, his deputy identified as Vishu and a senior women’s wing leader represented the LTTE.

Premier Wickremesinghe has authorised Thondaman to hold talks with LTTE leaders in the east as part of confidence building measures aimed at facilitating the Norwegian led peace.

"I have visited LTTE held areas in the east thrice," he said while implying that Monday’s visit would not be the last.

Monday’s talks took place amidst reports that at least six persons including five teenagers had escaped from LTTE training camps in the east and sought protection at police stations. Four girls were among the recruits who claimed that hundreds were undergoing training in LTTE camps.

Responding to questions, Thondaman said that he would not hesitate to visit LTTE held areas in the north if Premier Wickremesinghe wants him to go there too.

Although Ministers Milinda Moragoda and Dr. Jayalath Jayewardena have met LTTE cadres during their frequent visits to the north, they have not held talks with LTTE seniors, sources said explaining that their visits were mainly to Vavuniya areas.

Military sources said that the LTTE decision to go ahead with their indiscriminate campaign of abductions, extortion and forcible conscription in the east has caused a lot of problems.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem has expressed concern over the ongoing harassment of the Muslim community in the east.

Thondaman said that the LTTE also discussed development plans for the east. "We discussed a gamut of issues," the minister said while adding that he explained to them that development work could begin soon after the two sides enter into a MoU. The minister has expressed the need to enter into a formal agreement that would pave the way for the two sides to declare a mutual cease-fire.