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President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has written to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that her advice should be sought before taking decisions that affect national security.

In a letter to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, President Kumaratunga has said that herself and the Cabinet should be informed of matters like the import of radio transmission equipment for the LTTE.

The President has stated that she "cannot allow special privileges to the LTTE in the name of peace". It might affect national security and the peace process in the long term, she added.

She alleged that neither herself nor the Cabinet had been informed of issuing a license for the LTTE to operate a radio station. Issuing a licence to one party may cause an injustice to others who have applied for similar permits.

She also disagreed with the Prime Minister's view that the peace process would be strengthened through the LTTE radio station. The sensitivities of neighbouring countries in this regard should also be taken into account, she said.

The President also requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Mass Communications Ministry to submit a report to her every two weeks on the content of the LTTE radio station's programmes and its reach.

She also noted that there are disparities between various statements made by the government on the import and clearance of the radio equipment.

A copy of the letter sent to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has been despatched to Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. 

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