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President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a detailed report from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the government' s agreement with the LTTE regarding the LTTE's sea movements. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister dated September 5th the President had referred to her letter to the PM on August 16th where she had requested a copy of the instructions issued to the Commander of the Navy regarding the sea movements of the LTTE cadres, a Media release issued by the Director General of the Presidential Media Division Janadasa Peiris stated.

"I now understand that the LTTE has been permitted to have weapons fitted to their vessels during their movements in the sea. I believe the Government intended to facilitate movements of the LTTE cadres from one dominated LTTE area to another dominated LTTE area." the President said in her letter to the Prime Minister.

"Nevertheless I do not see why they should be allowed to carry weapons fitted to their vessels or otherwise, for this purpose. Whilst the LTTE has violated the Ceasefire Agreement on numerous occasions, the Armed Forces have not done so". The letter adds.

"If this position is correct, I consider it highly dangerous considering the track record of the LTTE, which has violated several fundamental conditions of the present MoU and other previous ceasefire agreements". The President also said that she had received information that several long range guns have been brought in by the LTTE and placed at strategic points within reach of the Trincomalee naval base. She has already alerted the Security Council on this matter.

"In the circumstances, permitting LTTE vessels fitted with weapons to sail in the seas, would cause a danger to naval bases and the camp of the armed forces, the President further states in her letter. The President's letter had also requested for an early reply.

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