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by Rashomi Silva

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday referring to the future talks with the LTTE said that the government has a 'very tough' task ahead of them and described the way ahead as 'hard'.

Addressing a gathering at the pinnacle unveiling ceremony of the Sri Wardhanarama Vihara of Gonahena, Kadawatha he said that the war that had cost so many precious lives should not be considered as an alternative to the country's decades long ethnic conflict.

"We have a very tough task before us, the future talks are going to be very tough. There may be more deadlocks to cross, there may even be a temporary break down of talks." He emphasised the importance of starting a new outlook with renewed vigour and said that the country should never give up its efforts to achieve a lasting peace. "We are witnessing the beginning of a new chapter today. For the first time in the history the LTTE has asked the assistance of Tamil experts living in the country, instead of depending on London based guidance for the future talks. The LTTE has hinted that the future talks perhaps may be steered by Thamilselvan, the Killnochchi based political wing leader.

Explaining the peace talks held so far Premier said that during the initial rounds of talks the parties came to know each other and identified the challenges. "In this new phase we have to face those challenges," and stressed that this will be a 'hard' task.

The LTTE withdrew from the table last April on grounds of unsatisfactory performance of the SHIRAN, the body that was established to look into the development, rehabilitation and reconstruction concerns in the North and East, he said and added but the talks were continued unofficially through the facilitators.

"They are preparing a set of counter proposals in Paris for the proposal put forward by the government. We can expect them to be 'tough' and that is why the negotiating is necessary, to arrive at a solution that is acceptable for all the communities in the country."

Speaking about the Muslim dimension in the ethnic conflict he said, a more active Muslim participation can be expected in future talks and added that the proposals that will be put forward by them will receive equal attention.

"Both Sinhalese and Muslims in North and East have difficulties on which we will focus our attention in the future talks," he said.

Both the LTTE and the government have agreed to work on a solution that is based on territorial integrity of the country and the government has made it clear that the final solution will have the legal and democratic stamp in it, Premier explained.

Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse, Minister of School Education Surinimala Rajapaksa, Disaster Relief Minister Sarathchandra Rajakaruna and Gampha district MP, Ravindra Randeniya and several other parliamentarians and Provincial and Local Councillors were also present.

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