The government yesterday dismissed the latest LTTE claims for a ceasefire, saying that “people in the country have had enough experiences on the LTTE’s double standard ceasefires.”
“Any ceasefire is possible only after the LTTE lays down arms and gives up terrorism,” government Defence Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
The LTTE has said it was ready for a ceasefire with the government but did not say if it would comply with the conditions of the government to lay down arms and surrender to resume talks.
Following reports of Tamil Nadu leaders seeking clarification on the LTTE's stand on a ceasefire the Tamilnet website quoting LTTE political head B. Nadesan, said, “there is no hesitation on our side to reiterate our position that we have always wanted a ceasefire.”
Nadesan noted that it was the Government that unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire claiming that the Tigers were only fighting a defensive war thrust upon them by the government.
However, Minister Rambukwella said the government commenced their humanitarian operation to liberate civilians in the north and east after experiencing a series of violations created by the LTTE of the so called ‘Ceasefire Agreement’.
Govt. dismisses...
“Before we commenced our humanitarian operation, the LTTE tried to assassinate Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and also killed a large number of civilians and military personnel,” the minister said.
“Were those not the violation of the so called Ceasefire agreement,” he asked.
He said during the last 30 years Sri Lnakans have become quite experienced about the LTTE’s ceasefires and learnt many lessons. “The Mahinda Rajapaksa government was not ready to let down the countrymen by way of falling into the LTTE trap,” the Minister added.
Earlier, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Mr. D. Pandiyan issued a public statement urging those who were fighting for the democratic rights of the Eelam Tamils, especially the political leadership of the Liberation Tigers, to come forward to announce their stand in a clarifying manner.
In January this year the government conveyed in writing to the Norwegian peace facilitators that the government was withdrawing from the February 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA). The government also suspended the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) with 14-days advance notification. The latest announcement by the LTTE that it was ready for a ceasefire comes during the month the Tigers commemorate their fallen cadres which culminates with the annual speech by the LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran.
-DM-
“Any ceasefire is possible only after the LTTE lays down arms and gives up terrorism,” government Defence Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
The LTTE has said it was ready for a ceasefire with the government but did not say if it would comply with the conditions of the government to lay down arms and surrender to resume talks.
Following reports of Tamil Nadu leaders seeking clarification on the LTTE's stand on a ceasefire the Tamilnet website quoting LTTE political head B. Nadesan, said, “there is no hesitation on our side to reiterate our position that we have always wanted a ceasefire.”
Nadesan noted that it was the Government that unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire claiming that the Tigers were only fighting a defensive war thrust upon them by the government.
However, Minister Rambukwella said the government commenced their humanitarian operation to liberate civilians in the north and east after experiencing a series of violations created by the LTTE of the so called ‘Ceasefire Agreement’.
Govt. dismisses...
“Before we commenced our humanitarian operation, the LTTE tried to assassinate Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and also killed a large number of civilians and military personnel,” the minister said.
“Were those not the violation of the so called Ceasefire agreement,” he asked.
He said during the last 30 years Sri Lnakans have become quite experienced about the LTTE’s ceasefires and learnt many lessons. “The Mahinda Rajapaksa government was not ready to let down the countrymen by way of falling into the LTTE trap,” the Minister added.
Earlier, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Mr. D. Pandiyan issued a public statement urging those who were fighting for the democratic rights of the Eelam Tamils, especially the political leadership of the Liberation Tigers, to come forward to announce their stand in a clarifying manner.
In January this year the government conveyed in writing to the Norwegian peace facilitators that the government was withdrawing from the February 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA). The government also suspended the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) with 14-days advance notification. The latest announcement by the LTTE that it was ready for a ceasefire comes during the month the Tigers commemorate their fallen cadres which culminates with the annual speech by the LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran.
-DM-
