Kethesh essentially a man of peace: President

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday condemning the killing of Ketheshwaran Loganathan, Deputy Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process, said "Kethesh as we all knew him, was essentially a man of peace."

"He was one who while deeply concerned about the demands and aspirations of the Tamil people, believed in negotiation as the means of solving the ethno-centered crisis in Sri Lanka.

I strongly condemn his killing as one more severe blow at the search for a negotiated solution to the prevailing crisis in Sri Lanka, and yet another example of the LTTE's rejection of the path of peace and negotiation," the President said in a message.

He said: "This contemptible act by the LTTE, coming exactly one year after the assassination of Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, shows the LTTE's determination to eliminate those of the Tamil community who dare to oppose its terrorism and are dedicated to the cause of peace and democratic rights for all people in Sri Lanka.

The killing of Mr. Loganathan, who had the courage to accept the position of Deputy Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Government's Peace Secretariat, demonstrates the contempt that the LTTE has for intellectuals among the Tamil community who differ with its views, and once again raises serious doubts of the LTTE's acceptance of negotiation towards peace, and more importantly its commitment to a lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

This tragic and contemptible act should draw the serious attention of the international community and the Co-Chairs of the Peace Process, as to the commitment of the LTTE to peace, as well as its position on dissent, pluralism, human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka, especially among the Tamil people whose liberation it claims to be fighting for. Mr. Loganathan, a former member of the EPRLF, had a deep insight into the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka.

He was a member of the Tamil negotiating team at the Thimpu talks. He later abandoned militant politics and entered the democratic process and worked hard to resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic issue through negotiation, upholding the principles of political pluralism and democracy.

His voice was that of understanding and conciliation. With his killing the Tamil community of Sri Lanka has lost one more member who had a genuine commitment to their cause and opposed the forces of terrorism that distorts their aspirations.

It has also cruelly robbed Sri Lanka of an important human asset who could make a lasting contribution to the future of our country and its people.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the members of his family, to his associates in the cause of peace, and to members of the Tamil community who have lost one more courageous voice that dared to be raised against the forces of terror".