by Shamindra Ferdinando in Omanthai
Releasing the last batch of security forces personnel in its captivity at Omanthai in exchange for 13 cadres held in the south, the LTTE revealed that it had been engaged in a dialogue with the previous government for an exchange of prisoners.

Of the thirteen, eleven were handed over to the LTTE. The rest identified as two female cadres were in the process of being re-united with their families, an ICRC official said. In accordance with ICRC guidelines on the release of captives, their consent was ascertained including the preferred custodian and location of release.

"Two of them opted to be handed over to their families in Colombo," the official said.

A senior LTTE political wing leader, Sudhakaran addressing a joint meeting of the security forces top brass and a group of senior LTTE field commanders at Omanthai, the last point held by the LTTE, said the releasing of the last batch-a navy officer and six soldiers-had been subjected to a protracted dialogue with the previous government.

Speaking on behalf of the political wing, he accused the previous government of failing to act sensibly. He pointed out that the previous government’s stance resulted in the long delay in releasing the last batch of captives.

The government delegation was led by Defence Secretary Austin Fernando who played a pivotal role in arranging the prisoner swap. His delegation included Army Commander Lieutenant General Lionel Balagalle, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri and Air Commodore J.L.C. Salgado representing the Airforce Commander. The LTTE delegation included ‘Colonel’ Theepan, in charge of units deployed in the north and ‘Colonels’ Bhanu, Jeyam and Sashikumar and Pulithevan of the political wing.

Sudhakaran reminded the gathering that "their national leader Velupillai Pirapakaran" released several batches of captives from time to time "purely on humanitarian grounds". He put an end to the assumption that the negotiations for the release of the last batch of security forces captives got underway as a result of the ongoing peace process.

While expressing satisfaction over the release of the LTTE prisoners and their subsequent reunion with their families, he expressed the belief that the government would take steps to release hundreds of Tamil youth held in detention. He was of the view that the prisoner swap was made possible by the ongoing peace process. He stressed that similar gestures of goodwill were necessary as part of the efforts aimed at building confidence between the two parties. It would be vital for the peace process, he said.

Inquiries revealed that the two sides had been in contact through the ICRC over the PoW issue as fighting raged in the north two years ago. The LTTE requested the then government to send a representative to discuss the issue. It was made immediately after the personnel released yesterday along with several others launched a fast-unto-death on February 10, 2000. The government apparently ignored the LTTE offer. But the LTTE released four of the captives on February 28.

Authorities agreed that there had been talks between the government and the LTTE on the last batch of captives even when major battles were taking place in the north.

The defence secretary said that the exchange of prisoners was the result of the peace process initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The LTTE leader extended his support in this regard, he said, adding that "it is yet another significant milestone to a negotiated settlement of what was at one time considered an intractable conflict".

The exchange of prisoners marks the beginning of a partnership, he said, expressing the belief that the two parties will have to co-operate closely on many matters including de-mining operations in the north-east and resettlement of internally displaced people.

Fernando reiterated the government’s commitment to the peace process while assuring the LTTE that it was ready to explore ways and means of improving and expanding relations between the two parties.

He also took advantage of the opportunity to address concerns expressed by groups still seeking information on missing security forces officers and men. "There is a belief-rightly or wrongly-among them that some such persons may be living in areas presently accessible mainly to the LTTE," he said, urging the LTTE to launch inquiries in this regard.

However, Sudhakaran who addressed the gathering after the defence secretary, stressed that they have released all the captives taken prisoner over a period of time. The LTTE indicated that now they have released all security forces captives and it was up to the government to release thousands of Tamil youth held in detention as part of the proposed confidence building measures.