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Monitoring Mission accepts LTTE violated ceasefire

by Ranil Wijayapala

Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Major General Trond Furohovde has accepted that the LTTE has violated clause 2:10 of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government and the LTTE by refusing to allow free movement of passenger transport along the Omanthai Muhamalai stretch of the A9 road that was opened on Monday.

Major General Furohovde has accepted this at a meeting he had with Ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris and Milinda Moragoda on his arrival in Colombo after his visit to the North for the reopening of the A9 road from Kilinochchi to Muhamalai.

The Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg and head of the Peace Secretariat Bernard Goonathilake were also present at this meeting, the Peace Secretariat sources told the 'Daily News' yesterday.

Earlier on April 8 the Government made an official complaint at the SLMM regarding the LTTE's refusal to allow passenger transport on the A9 road.

Major General Furohovde has brought this matter with the LTTE during his visit to Kilinochchi for the opening of the road and has given 30 days from April 8, to settle the dispute 'using the good offices of Norway'.

The Government has accepted the decision of the SLMM Head as he is the final authority in interpreting the Ceasefire Agreement reached between the Government and the LTTE on February 22.

The SLMM Head during his visit to Kilinochchi for the opening of the A9 road has observed the inconvenience faced by civilians when crossing this stretch of road without direct transport facilities from Colombo to Jaffna.

The LTTE has earlier expressed its desire to operate their own passenger transport service between Omanthai and Muhamalai following the opening of the A9 road to Jaffna.

Defence, Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation Minister Tilak Marapana at a ceremony at the Transport Ministry yesterday said that the Government can allow the LTTE to operate direct bus services between Colombo and Jaffna competing with the other bus operators but not for the operation of an exclusive bus service from Omanthai to Muhamalai.

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