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SLMM submits report on Mullaitivu incident

by Ranil Wijayapala and Ranga Jayasuriya

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday submitted to the Government and the LTTE a three page report on the sinking of the LTTE vessel by the Navy in the sea off Mullaitivu.

The report is based on the SLMM investigations into the incident and the two versions of the event by the Navy and the LTTE.

SLMM Deputy Chief Hagrup Haukland told the Daily News that the report was submitted to the Government and the LTTE last afternoon.

Haukland declined to reveal the contents of the report. The SLMM is due to issue a press release today explaining their ruling.

SLMM sources however said the report contained the evaluation of the incident and recommendations to avoid the recurrence of such events.

"Most people expected the SLMM to blame the Government or the LTTE for the incident. But it is not possible since we did not have monitors at the scene of the incident," SLMM sources said.

"For us it is difficult to draw a ruling based on two contradictory versions of the Navy and the LTTE."

Meanwhile, the Government and the LTTE delegations meet tomorrow (18) for the sixth round of peace talks in the Japanese hotspring resort of Hakone. The sea incident, resettlement in the High Security Zones and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement are expected to be discussed in addition to the fiscal framework and monitory policy for the federal system.

The LTTE delegation comprising Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham, political chief Thamilchelvam, Eastern military chief "colonel" Karuna, Kumaran Pulidevan, Dr. J. Maheshwaran and Adele Balasingham left for Japan last night via the Bandaranaike International Airport.

LTTE Peace secretariat chief Kumaran Pulidevan on Friday confirmed LTTE participation at the talks despite speculation that the Tigers would boycott this round of peace talks.

"Boycotting the talks would like to have undesirable consequences, further it will provide the Government a tool to cast doubt on our commitment to peace," Balasingham was quoted telling the press in the Tamilnet.

The Negotiators will move to the spa region outside Tokyo for four days of closed-door talks from Tuesday.

Agency reports quoted Norway's deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen as saying that he expected talks in Japan to take up mechanisms to ensure compliance of the ceasefire.

"Mechanisms to strengthen the ceasefire and ensure full compliance will be discussed," Helgesen said adding that arrangements relating to movements by both parties at sea will be discussed.

The talks shifted to Japan following Tokyo's hands-on role in the Oslo-led peace initiative. Japan's enlarged role followed unprecedented United States backing for the peace bid.

Diplomats believe the prospect of millions of dollars in rehabilitation aid was encouraging the antagonists in Sri Lanka to remain in the peace process.

Tokyo is to host a special aid pledging conference in June to drum up international financial support to rebuild Sri Lanka. The United States, Norway, the European Union and Japan will co-chair the two-day aid conference from June 9.

The outcome of the latest talks would be keenly watched by the donor community. 

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