Govt intent on bringing Tigers to talks

by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga

The Government yesterday reiterated it was still committed to peace and intent on bringing the LTTE to the negotiating table despite the provocative attempts by the Tigers to drag the military into a confrontation.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the Cabinet briefing yesterday that the President has issued a 'very strong' signal to the military not to retaliate unless in self defence.

"We are genuinely committed to peace and want to show that to the international community. We cannot behave like the LTTE," the Minister said when questioned how long they can tolerate the LTTE's ceasefire violations.

Condemning the recent false accusations of abduction of a Tamil schoolgirl by Army personnel, the spokesman charged that the LTTE's latest attempt was to tarnish the military's image in the face of the international community.

The LTTE made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission of the alleged abduction, later found to be a hoax.

The Minister said their latest tactic was a malicious propaganda campaign to blame the military of human rights violations.

In the complaint, the LTTE accused two Army personnel of abducting the girl, whereas the girl who turned up few hours later claimed she wandered to the town after school with a friend.

The Minister also said the Government welcomed the strongly worded statements issued by the US, one of the co-chairs of Sri Lanka's peace process after its recent meeting with the President, followed by Australia, pressurising the LTTE to stop ceasefire violations and return to the negotiating table.

The Minister said the scheduled meeting between the President and the political party leaders on January 19 will be an open discussion on reaching a consensus on a course of action with regard to the peace process.

He also expressed hope the forthcoming visit of the Norwegian Special peace envoy Erik Solheim will help break the deadlock to resume negotiations on a positive note.