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No change in Hakone talks agenda - Prof. Peiris

by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga

Chief Government Negotiator and Cabinet Spokesman Minister Prof G.L. Peiris yesterday ruled out any change in timetable or the agenda of the next round of peace talks because of Monday's incident in the Mullaitivu seas.

"The LTTE has not conveyed any change of programme.

According to what we have been informed no decision has been taken by them to refrain from participating in the next round of talks," Minister Peiris said at the weekly Cabinet briefing, in response to a question by the media whether the peace talks will be postponed due to the sinking of the LTTE vessel by the Navy.

"This matter has been referred to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. Our views on the incident have already been discussed with them and the SLMM delegation is now having discussions with the LTTE leaders."

They will take up matters involving the consolidation and implementation of the ceasefire agreement so as to prevent any tense situations in future, he said.

Commenting on the statement of Balasingham, the Minister said the Navy has not violated any local or international laws or the ceasefire agreement. Refuting claims that the Defence Ministry stood idle over the incident, the Minister said the Navy did not require political consultation to carry out their duty.

"They were acting according to the standard guidelines to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the country which has also been identified in the ceasefire agreement. This is the Government's view and it has already been conveyed to the visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister and the SLMM," the Cabinet Spokesman said. He said the agreement identified the rights of the armed forces to take action to safeguard the country and it needs no major amendments. "What we need now are practical means for its proper implementation.

The Norwegian delegation in Kilinochchi is now discussing this issue with the LTTE."

Minister emphasised that the incident took place within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka, not international waters as claimed by the LTTE.

Referring to the coastguard ship offered to the Sri Lankan Navy by the US Government, the minister said it was a clear indication of international backing for the Government on the path to peace.

He said that Norway, United States, Japan and the European Union have expressed willingness to co-chair the donor conference scheduled for June 9 and 10 in Tokyo, another indication of their satisfaction over the government's commitment.

The Cabinet spokesman said the government expects a significant increase in Asian Development Bank assistance next year following ADB President Tadao Chino's meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Finance Minister K.N.Choksy.

There was an increase of 40 million US $ last year over the previous year and according to Prof.Peiris a total of US $ 400 million assistance is expected this year.

Meanwhile, Nobel price laureate John Hume who played a vital role in the Northern Ireland peace process will visit Sri Lanka on March 31. During his five day visit, Hume will hold discussions with Sri Lankan political party leaders and the LTTE.

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