Forces reiterate commitment to truce
 

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Security Forces and the Police Chiefs yesterday reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire and the peace process, while stressing that they were prepared to meet any challenge.

"Government Forces are well prepared to face any challenge and any threat to national security," Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri told the media yesterday.

Sandagiri and Forces Chiefs, in a rare appearance before the media, assured that peace and harmony would prevail and the ceasefire adhered to. Fears of an imminent return to war were unfounded, he remarked.

There was no deviation from the agreement which was signed by the Government with the LTTE, Sandagiri asserted.

"The Government seeks to invite the LTTE as a partner to the agreement to resolve the situation to continue the ceasefire and usher peace in the country," the Admiral added.

"The Security Forces believe that is the right decision. We are committed to maintain the ceasefire agreement."

"We consider the claymore mine attacks by the LTTE on soldiers as cowardly terrorist acts but not as acts of war," Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said.

He said Army personnel had acted with restraint and patience without reacting to the provocative acts of the LTTE.

Fonseka said the Army has deployed a sufficient number of troops to prevent an recurrence of such incidents in the peninsula.

"The first thing we have to do is to take steps to protect ourselves from such attacks and then move to the second step to engage with the people who are responsible for terrorist activities in Government controlled areas," General Fonseka said.

He said only a few armed LTTE cadres in Government controlled areas are engaged in terrorist activities. The LTTE has declared that they no longer engage in political activities in Government controlled areas.

"The President has given clear instructions that we can take any step to prevent any attack on the Army," he added. "The Army has not been given instructions to react to the provocative and cowardly acts of the LTTE but has been given full freedom to react any situation in self defence. But it is not allowed to overreact."

Responding to media queries as to why the Army did not participate in the scheduled meeting with the LTTE in Muhamalai, the Commander said that Jaffna Security Forces Commander has nothing to do with LTTE military leaders in Kilinochchi.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Donald Perera said the Air Force is also ready to face any situation along with the Army and the Navy.

Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando also spoke.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda did not attend the press conference as he had to attend to urgent operational duties.