The Government yesterday said it
appreciated the efforts of the Co-chairs to resume peace talks
and re-affirmed President Mahinda Rajapakse’s August 22
declaration that the Government remains ready to engage in talks
with the LTTE following a clear commitment by the LTTE Leader to
a comprehensive and verifiable cessation of hostilities.It
also noted certain elements of the Co-chairs’ statement of
September 12, 2006 and some procedural irregularities therein
such as making commitments on dates and venue without prior
consultation with the Government and factual inaccuracies which
were misleading’.
A statement issued by the Secretariat for Coordinating the
Peace Process said:
"The Government is appreciative of the efforts made by the
Co-chair members to resume peace talks. The Government reaffirms
the declaration of President Mahinda Rajapakse on 22 August
2006, following a meeting with the Co-Chair Ambassadors in Sri
Lanka that the Government remains ready to engage in talks with
the LTTE following a clear commitment by the LTTE Leader to a
comprehensive and verifiable cessation of hostilities. The
Government is pleased that the Co-Chair members have endorsed
this approach and stated that the LTTE must abide by all
agreements and renounce terrorism and violence.
The Government notes with great concern certain elements of
the Co-Chair statement of 12 September 2006. The procedural
irregularities of the statement, in making commitments regarding
dates and venue without prior consultation with the Government.
"The Government deeply regrets that the statement contains
factual inaccuracies such as the alleged bombing of a school in
Mullaitivu which is grossly misleading.
It is important to note that the peace process in Sri Lanka
is conducted between a democratically elected government of a
sovereign State and an armed group practising terrorism. It has
been the experience in the past that the LTTE has always used
peace talks as a period to enhance its military capabilities.
"The Government hopes that the Co-Chairs and the Facilitator
will do the utmost to ensure that the past practices of the LTTE
are not repeated in this instance. In this regard, the
Government would urge the international community to put in
place a practical mechanism to prevent the illegal procurement
of arms and an effective blockade to the induction of weapons by
the LTTE. This is an essential element to ensure a successful
progression towards a political settlement.
"While the Government notes the above concerns, it remains
fully committed to participate at peace talks with the LTTE.
However, the specific modalities relating to dates and venue
must be discussed and agreed between the Government of Sri Lanka
and the Facilitator."
