Govt not deceived by LTTE's unilateral truce - Health Minister

Rajmi Manatunga

The LTTE will not be allowed to take the Government for a ride by declaring a fake unilateral ceasefire during the SAARC summit, Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

Commenting on yesterday's attack on the Muhamalai forward defence line, the Minister said the LTTE has violated its own call for a truce by engaging in the foiled attack, which is indicative of their past behaviour during ceasefires.

"The LTTE once deceived former Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi by resuming their usual terrorist activities after signing an international agreement for peace. During the period of the ceasefire agreement between the LTTE leader and former Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe too, the LTTE violated the truce on more than 10,000 occasions," he said.

Stating that the Government will commence negotiations with the LTTE only if they lay down their arms, de Silva said that the Government will take every measure required to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.