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by Ranil Wijayapala and Ranga Jayasuriya

The LTTE yesterday released the two servicemen held in its custody, ending a nearly three-month standoff with the Government.

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran ordered the release of private Nimal Kumara and Reserve Constable Gunasekara complying with the request of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

SLMM Chief Gen. Trond Furuhovde and his successor Triggve Tellefsson yesterday met LTTE leader Prabhakaran, theoretician and Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham, political chief Thamilselvam and Adele Balasingham to seek the release of the two servicemen.

The two servicemen arrived at the Defence Ministry grounds, Colombo by an Air Force helicopter along with the SLMM delegation yesterday afternoon.

The LTTE yesterday released the two servicemen held in its custody, ending a nearly three-month standoff with the Government.

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran ordered the release of private Nimal Kumara and Reserve Constable Gunasekara complying with the request of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

SLMM Chief Gen. Trond Furuhovde and his successor Triggve Tellefsson yesterday met LTTE leader Prabhakaran, theoretician and Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham, political chief Thamilselvam and Adele Balasingham to seek the release of the two servicemen.

The two servicemen arrived at the Defence Ministry grounds, Colombo by an Air Force helicopter along with the SLMM delegation yesterday afternoon.

Private Nimal Kumara had been in LTTE custody since December 24, when he was detained by the LTTE ahead of the Welioya Forward Defence Line. Constable Gunasekara was taken into LTTE custody when he trespassed into Tiger held areas ahead the Muhamalai Forward Defence Line.

"The two servicemen were handed over to the SLMM which in turn handed them over to the Defence Ministry," SLMM spokesman Teitur Torkelsson said.

The SLMM secured the release of the seven LTTE cadres surrounded by the Navy in Kuchchaveli on the condition that the LTTE should release the two servicemen. But the LTTE defied the ruling, pointing to "legal grounds".

The SLMM and the LTTE yesterday discussed the implementation of a release mechanism to avoid a recurrence of such incidents.

"Both parties discussed a release mechanism to ensure the immediate release, whenever a cadre or a serviceman is arrested by the other party".

"The SLMM suggested that the captive should be handed over to it, whenever a rival member is arrested by the other party," he said, adding that both parties should endorse this arrangement.

The SLMM will discuss with both parties the modalities of the release mechanism.

The discussion between the SLMM and the LTTE also focused on the balance of power between the two forces, Torkelsson said.

"The LTTE said the Army is strengthening its military capacity along the Forward Defence Lines and said that these developments should be taken into account in the peace talks.

Private Nimal Kumara speaking to the media at the Army Headquarters yesterday said the LTTE released them due to pressure from the SLMM. Otherwise they would have kept them under their custody until the Government released the six LTTE cadres arrested by the Navy in Trincomalee.

Private Nimal Kumara denied the allegation that he was arrested by the LTTE in their territory.

"I was arrested by six armed LTTE cadres who entered Government controlled territory while I was on duty in the area. I had gone only 10 meters ahead of the FDL but it was not the no man's area either. I knew perfectly where I was when I was detained by the six LTTE cadres".

"Though I had a T56 weapon with me I did not use the weapon since I knew it was detrimental to use weapons during the ceasefire," Kumara added.

"They took me to a camp near Puthukuduiruppu and held me there for nearly three days. The LTTE Police Chief Nadesan came and talked to me. They filed a case against me after taking me to the LTTE prison in Kilinochchi and produced before the LTTE courts.

"They took my signature for a document in Tamil without describing the context of the document. I signed the document as they said I will be released soon after signed the document".

However, Nimal Kumara said their only intention was to demand the release of the six LTTE cadres. "They produced before the 'court' to postpone the case and held me in captivity for a long time. The lawyer who represented me at the LTTE court just gave me the date of next hearing."

He said the Police Constable who was taken into custody by the LTTE was also held at the same cell with him for few days. He was later sent to another cell.

"An LTTE cadre informed me about my release and I was thrilled."

The LTTE had refused to return the weapon they had taken from Kumara.

Private H.S. Nihal Kumara (26) of Kulahena, Galagama, Nakulugama is attached to the Army detachment at Ranabapura, Welioya.

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