by Franklin R. Satyapalan

Former Speaker and MP of the People’s Alliance Anura Bandaranaike said on Wednesday that a high-level delegation of PA MPs were to leave for India shortly to appraise the Indian government, the party stand on the MoU between the UNF Government and the LTTE.

"We are not against the peace process but we will have to raise our fears about this MoU and the actions of the LTTE who are smuggling arms while Norwegians are turning a blind eye and UNF government does nothing.

"We are presently working on the arrangements to meet with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee and Opposition Leader Mrs. Sonia Gandhi among a host of others.

"We are also working out the composition of the PA delegation which will include NUA leader Mrs. Ferial Ashraff and MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardene.

"We believe that the LTTE is getting ready for a major war, while the UNF government is disbanding the STF formed by their former leader J. R. Jayewardene.

"We of the SLFP believe that the Indian government should be fully informed of all the developments that are taking place here.

"India should be briefed on all aspects of the peace initiatives brokered by the Norwegians".

On Tuesday, former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral stated in parliament,when TULF General Secretary R. Sampanthan and UNF Minister T. Maheswaran met him and questioned him why Indian government would not give permission for India to be used as a venue for talks. That India will give support for the peace initiatives but not offer India as a venue for the talks. It shows that the Indian government too has its doubts about the peace process and the LTTE, MP Anura Bandaranaike stated on Wednesday.