By Sumadhu Weerawarne and Kesara Abeywardena
Minister G L Peiris yesterday told Parliament that the formal agreement on the truce was still under negotiation, and no finality had been reached. "As soon as the agreement is finalised, the Prime Minister will make a comprehensive statement," he said. He was making a statement for the government following a JVP query on the contents of the memorandum of understanding and whether the government would lift the ban on the LTTE prior to entering into a formal cease-fire agreement with them.

Minister Peiris said that there had been crucial discussions at Temple Trees even on Monday, and that the document was very much under negotiation. "Several documents were prepared. It is an evolving process. It is developing everyday. There are questions arising. There are responses to these questions. The government of Sri Lanka is responding to the Norwegian draft. The LTTE has the opportunity of making their own comments and that is the process now underway," he said. He however failed to say whether the ban on the LTTE would be lifted. He rejected the document tabled by the JVP as the draft truce agreement as not being authentic. "The provisions or purported provisions referred to by the Mr. Weerawanse are not authentic. It is therefore not possible to embark on a detailed analysis of these provisions or comment on their implications as the MP has done," Minister Peiris said.

JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawanse at the commencement of sittings in Parliament questioned the government on the contents of the agreement to be signed between the government and LTTE. Reading out from what he said was the draft of the truce agreement, he said that it was only for one year and formally recognised that there were areas under LTTE control. Detailing he said that there was an acceptance and recognition of areas under LTTE control, through a clause stipulating that the army and the LTTE would retain areas under their control. "This amounts to equalling the army with the LTTE. And also gives credence to the myth that the LTTE are freedom fighters," he said. He added that there was also the condition that both the troops and the LTTE would not seek to enhance their military capabilities while the truce was on. This he said would only apply to the army as the LTTE engages in covert conscription. He also pointed out that while there was a clause enabling unarmed LTTE cadre to engage in politics in uncleared areas, there was nothing to say that this was possible in LTTE controlled areas.

He also detailed that there was provision for an international monitoring unit which was responsible to Norway. "Norway’s powers have greatly increased from that of facilitator," hinting that it had now evolved into a mediator. He also noted with concern that Norway would also be the final arbiter. "The ultimate interpretation of the clauses is also in his hands," he said.

He said that the agreement was one aimed at pleasing the LTTE and would give it an year’s reprieve to arm itself and extort money.

Minister Peiris in response said that once the agreement was scrutinized it would be evident that there was a "significant element of continuity". "There was a cessation of hostilities agreement that was negotiated in the year 1995. AS we all know there was a truce in place from January 8 to April 19. Many provisions that were reflected in that agreement, will also be found in the present agreement. It is not a completely new point of departure," he said.