LTTE responsible for peace process collapse - Nimal Siripala de Silva

Pramod de Silva and Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: The LTTE should bear the prime responsibility for the collapse of the peace process but not the Government as alleged by the LTTE, Leader of the House, and Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

Presenting regulations to extend Emergency Regulations for another one month de Silva said the Government will not hesitate to take steps vital for the national security. Flexibility shown by the Government should not be misconstrued as weakness, the Minister stressed.

"In our efforts to bring peace, we have never neglected national security. We are always ready to face any situation or any challenge that arise from terrorism. We are hopeful in finding a solution through the peace process but not ready to put the national security at risk in achieving that solution".

He said the Government's desire towards peace will not be hampered by acts of terrorism.

"Our commitment towards peace cannot be changed by the acts of terrorism and we will continue to peruse peace despite such terrorist acts," the Minister said.

De Silva commended the political parties for their solidarity towards the President and the Government at the All Party Conference.

The Minister said the Government was not accepting the allegation that failure of the Government to fulfil the commitments made at the Geneva talks, as mentioned by TNA MP Mavai Senathiraja, has led to the stalling of Geneva II.

He said in due course the Government will give a detailed reply to Senathiraja's statement. The Minister presenting the reasons for the extension of emergency regulations for another one month, said the suicide bomb targeting the Army Commander at the Army Headquarters, resulted in the deaths of 11 persons.

The Army commander was also seriously injured in the incident. The Minister mentioned that LTTE orchestrated violence against security forces within the last month killing 58 security forces personnel and injuring 128.

One hundred and seven civilians have also been killed and 130 civilians have been injured in those violent acts.