SLMM revises statement on airstrikes

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: In a fresh press release issued yesterday the SLMM clarified their stand on the Eastern incident where Government Forces targeted several LTTE camps in Sampur in retaliation of LTTE strikes.

In the release titled "SLMM Clarification of Press Release of 29 April 2006" they have withdrawn their earlier statement that the Government carried out offensive airstrikes in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

The Government expressed serious concerns over the statement issued by the SLMM on Saturday. Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) Secretary General Dr. Palitha Kohona met SLMM chief Ulf Henrickson in this concern to clarify the situation later on.

The full release by the SLMM said:

"After consulting with the Sri Lankan Government the SLMM has decided to make the following statement:

With reference to a press release sent out by the SLMM on April 29, 2006 we would like to clarify the issue regarding our concerns over certain unexplained violent deaths of civilians.

SLMM monitors on the ground have expressed some concerns over the last few weeks and months regarding the behaviour of some individuals on the ground who might have been directly or indirectly involved in clandestine activities against civilians.

It was not the SLMM's intention to generalise or pass judgements on the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and police. The Sri Lankan Government has conveyed to us that they are not aware of any such activities within their ranks. We believe that the Sri Lankan Government is sincere in this respect and are committed to prevent any such clandestine activities from taking place.

Should any such cases arise again the SLMM will bring such cases immediately to the attention of the Sri Lankan Government for their action."

Meanwhile, Dr.Kohona told the Daily News that they were still awaiting a response from the LTTE to the Government's offer for a sea plane to transport their Eastern leaders. The talks are being continuously delayed due to the unrelenting demand by the LTTE for air transport for their Eastern leaders to have a round of consultations with Prabhakaran prior to next round of Geneva talks.

Authoritative sources said the Government and the LTTE have already agreed upon a possible landing site for the sea plane but the LTTE is yet to confirm their acceptance of the sea plane offer.

Despite escalating provocations by the LTTE, the Government renewed its efforts to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table by agreeing to offer a sea plane belonging to SriLankan Airlines to transport LTTE regional leaders to Kilinochchi a few days back.

The SLMM is mediating between the Government and the LTTE to push this through to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations.