Tamil Nadu resolution based on fabricated reports

COLOMBO: The Government's attention has been drawn to the Resolution pertaining to Sri Lanka adopted by the State Assembly of Tamil Nadu on August 17, a release from the Government Information Department said yesterday.

"For purpose of record, we wish to make it clear that the Resolution contains assertions based on reports which have been totally fabricated," the release added.

The release: "The truth of the matter is that the structure referred to in the State Assembly Resolution was not an orphanage as claimed by the LTTE, but a strategically located long standing LTTE training camp, from which that organisation used to induct cadres for its recent attacks against the Security Forces and the positions established by the ceasefire in the Jaffna peninsula.

Firm and reliable evidence in the form of video footage through aerial reconnaissance, establishing the presence of armed personnel and the imparting of combat training at this location, has already been shared by the Government with the Diplomatic Community and the media in Sri Lanka on August 16.

The LTTE has a known track record of recruiting underage combatants and some of them could have perhaps been present, at the time of the sortie by the Air Force.

The Government of Sri Lanka unreservedly regrets any loss of human life, including in the incident in Mullaitivu.

It must be stressed however that the loss of life is brought about solely by the LTTE which has initiated hostilities, thereby compelling the Government to execute self defensive military measures to preserve the positions established by the ceasefire.

The LTTE ruthlessly exploits the human suffering brought about by its ruthless acts of terrorism, to gain propaganda advantage.

The LTTE will now no doubt try to obtain the maximum mileage from the Resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, in the hope of blurring the distinction that must be drawn between the legitimate grievances of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and the nefarious quest of the LTTE to carve out a separate one party State dominated by the LTTE.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation will never be compromised.

At the same time, we remain profoundly committed to resolving the national issue through a negotiated political solution which is equitable to all the communities within Sri Lanka.

Towards this end, the Government renews its call to the LTTE to immediately desist from hostilities and to return to negotiations."