The ongoing combined security forces campaign to wrest control of the LTTE-held Vanni region and the APRC process through which the government intended to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution could continue simultaneously, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said.

In interview with The Island at his Keppitipola residence, the minister asserted that the rapid progress made by security forces against the LTTE would enable the government go ahead with political proposals which he emphasized had the unstinted support of India.

The de-merger of the Eastern Province from the North on a Supreme Court directive wouldn’t be an obstacle to the political process, he said. The two-pronged approach would reach a decisive stage in the coming months as the military relentlessly press ahead with their planned offensive action.

The government wouldn’t give up its right to essentially use force to tackle a terrorist problem. He also echoed Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa that there wouldn’t be fresh negotiations as long as the LTTE retained arms.

Dismissing criticism directed at the government for quitting the Ceasefire Agreement and waging war against the LTTE, the minister pointed out that the triggered the latest bout of fighting. "We couldn’t have ignored their military challenge," he said. Had the government allowed the LTTE to take the upper hand, the ground situation would have been different today, he said. Once considered unbeatable on the battlefield, Tigers, he asserted had been brought to their knees and their final collapse would come sooner than later.

Unfortunately some people have conveniently forgotten the way the LTTE acted after the Norwegian-brokered CFA came into operation in February 2002, he said. "The war was forced on us. Now, they have lost the capacity to off-set the battlefield losses, they are seeking an international lifeline."

The minister dismissed the assertion that the Rajapaksa administration has been internationally isolated. "A blatant lie," he said. The rapid progress on the battlefield since major ground battles erupted in August 2006 wouldn’t have been possible without international cooperation, he said. "From where do you think arms, ammunition, equipment and the technology as well as services reached government forces?" he asked. In fact, the Rajapaksa administration had received unprecedented support from foreign countries to meet the threat posed by the LTTE. Fielding questions, he said that a statement issued by an individual on behalf of a country or an organisation critical of a particular issue shouldn’t be considered rejection of Sri Lanka by the international community.

The minister asserted that the friendly countries had provided critical support; a case in point was the US crackdown on the LTTE. The US action had crippled some important LTTE networks and the action taken by UK, Canada, France and EU as a whole and the support extended by India had given the government upper hand in the battle against the LTTE. Without their support, the LTTE wouldn’t have been weakened, he said. The minister underscored the use of ships secured from US, India and Israel in the destruction of eight LTTE floating arsenals on the high seas since September 2006. It was a significant achievement but would it have been possible without the availability of the required ships and other services, the minister said.

He acknowledged that the recent amendment to Department of State Appropriation Bill for the current financial year would be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s interests.

"As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, US restrictions on defence cooperation with Sri Lanka on the basis of alleged human rights issues is unreasonable and would ultimately provide a lifeline at a time the group is under tremendous pressure, both here and overseas."

The minister expressed confidence that the US wouldn’t abandon Sri Lanka at her hour of need. Maritime surveillance made available by the US late last year and the recent visit by a top level military delegation was evidence that the US would stand by Sri Lanka, the minister said. The Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement with the US was evidence of Sri Lanka’s commitment to the US, he said, emphasising the critical importance in maintaining good relations with the major powers. Fielding questions, he asserted that Sri Lanka’s decision to improve relations with Iran was a case in point.