2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Delegation Meets with LTTE in Killinochchi

At the press briefing following the meeting, Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan elaborated on the main issues discussed at the meeting. "The issues surrounding the recent naval incidents were discussed at length. Col. Soosai highlighted the prior existence of distinct naval boundaries where the sea was under the control of LTTE or the Sri Lanka Navy. This area of control was very similar to the military control of the land. Prior to the ceasefire, during the war, Sri Lanka Navy did not venture into the LTTE controlled sea territories. However, since the ceasefire, the Sri Lanka Navy has used the lack of clear guidelines pertaining to the seas in the agreement to their advantage and carried out a number of excursions into previously LTTE controlled areas". Mr. Tamilselvan added that these were acts of extreme provocation and that the LTTE viewed these events as violations of the ceasefire agreement. "The need to tighten up the ceasefire guidelines with reference to the seas was a priority and the SLMM delegation was at Killinochchi to get the LTTE thoughts on the issue", Mr. Tamilselvan said.

"The problems faced by the LTTE cadres in passing through some areas in Trincomalee were also discussed. During the war, LTTE cadres were able to move around freely in Trincomalee district. Since the ceasefire, the Sri Lanka army has attempted to block the free movement of the LTTE cadres. Ensuring safe passage for LTTE cadres is an urgent requirement and this was conveyed to the SLMM delegation"

09 April 2004

Print this

Email this