Foreign Minister calls for independent and impartial SLMM

ENGLAND: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday called for a "more independent and more impartial role" by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

Interviewed by the BBC in the aftermath of the SLMM report on the killing of aid workers, Samaraweera described the outgoing SLMM Head's statement as 'outrageous' and 'irresponsible' and lacking proper forensic evidence.

In the interview with BBC's George Alagiah in London, the Minister said: "Yes, I think this accusation or allegation is irresponsible and I would go on to say, It is actually outrageous."

"I am calling it an outrageous allegation because the outgoing Head of SLMM Mr. Henriccson had conveyed this conclusion even before the investigations and forensic examinations have been concluded." The Aid workers, a Muslim and 16 Tamils were found dead inside their office following days of fierce battle between the military and the LTTE triggered by a lightning Tiger attack on this Muslim dominated village.

The Minister said in the letter sent to the Peace Secretariat Secretary General that the SLMM Head has conveyed they have come to this conclusion after interviewing several anonymous persons and the political wing leader of the LTTE.

"Whether it is true or not there has to be a proper investigation," the Minister said. However, the Minister said they needed the mission to continue its operations in the country at a time when the LTTE has escalated its level of violence.

Asked if this meant the Government has lost confidence in this Mission Minister Samaraweera said: "Just because the singer is bad it doesn't necessarily mean the song is bad."

"We believe that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has a very important role to play in Sri Lanka, especially at a time when the LTTE has escalated its levels of violence and in fact I would say the SLMM should not be a fair weather organisation."

When asked if he accepts that Sri Lanka is back at war and the ceasefire is over, the Minister responded: "No it is not a civil war. Because to have a war you must have two sides. At the moment the Government is merely responding to LTTE aggression," adding that the Government was hoping even today the LTTE can be brought back to the negotiating table.

He said there were no conditions for the LTTE to return to negotiations but there has to be a verifiable guarantee from the Head of the LTTE that the hostilities will be ceased.