The global community is gravely concerned over the rising tide of violence in the Jaffna peninsula and calling for urgent talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers to de-escalate the conflict.
This message was conveyed to the LTTE’s Chief Negotiator and theoretician, Mr. Anton Balasingham when a high level Norwegian delegation, led by Mr. Erik Solheim, Minister of International Development, met him at his London residence Tuesday last week for three hours of discussions.
The meeting came a day after the Co-Chairs of the donor community (US, EU, Japan and Norway) criticised the LTTE for the ongoing violence in Jaffna, whilst urging the Sri Lankan government to restrain the paramilitaries waging a ‘shadow war’ against LTTE supporters and members.
“The Co-Chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their on-going campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement and the peace process,” a joint statement said.
“Failure to demonstrate a willingness to change would not be without serious consequences,” the statement said, without elaborating.
The Norwegian message was also reiterated by representatives of the quartet (except the US) who met with LTTE Political Wing leader Mr. S. P. Tamilselvan this weekend.
Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson, however insisted that Co-Chairs were 'committed' and 'impartial' with regards to promoting peace in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Solheim told Mr. Balasingham the international community favoured immediate talks between the parties in conflict in the implementation of the truce, without prolonging dispute over the venue.
The world community, Mr. Solheim pointed out, is alarmed at the sudden escalation in violence in Jaffna, which has the potential to break into a fully fledged conflict if it is not arrested in time.
Mr. Balasingham, while explaining the reality of the ground situation, blamed the Sri Lankan army of occupation for unleashing ruthless violence against university students and staff.
The armed forces are adopting high-handed repressive methods, utilising brutal force to suppress peaceful demonstrations by students and civilians, thereby generating public resentment and unrest in the northern city, Mr. Balasingham told the Norwegians.
The LTTE chief negotiator further explained that the non-implementation of some crucial obligations of the February 2002 ceasefire agreement was the main cause for the subversive violence in the Tamil homeland.
The Sri Lankan military’s intimidation, harassment and persecution of Tamils have increased manifold since the hardline General Sarath Fonseka became Chief of the Army, Mr. Balasingham explained.
The Norwegian delegation underscored the importance of resuming talks on the operative mechanism of the ceasefire without further delay.
Concious that Sri Lanka was insisting on a venue in Asia whilst the LTTE wanted talks to be held in Norway, Mr. Solheim pleaded that the venue should not be a major dispute for talks.
Mr. Tamilselvan told representatives of the Co-Chairs “the Tamil leadership is firm and will oppose Colombo’s effort on imposing geographical limitations and preconditions on the venue of talks on the … and thereby alienating the Liberation Tigers from European countries.”
This message was conveyed to the LTTE’s Chief Negotiator and theoretician, Mr. Anton Balasingham when a high level Norwegian delegation, led by Mr. Erik Solheim, Minister of International Development, met him at his London residence Tuesday last week for three hours of discussions.
The meeting came a day after the Co-Chairs of the donor community (US, EU, Japan and Norway) criticised the LTTE for the ongoing violence in Jaffna, whilst urging the Sri Lankan government to restrain the paramilitaries waging a ‘shadow war’ against LTTE supporters and members.
“The Co-Chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their on-going campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement and the peace process,” a joint statement said.
“Failure to demonstrate a willingness to change would not be without serious consequences,” the statement said, without elaborating.
The Norwegian message was also reiterated by representatives of the quartet (except the US) who met with LTTE Political Wing leader Mr. S. P. Tamilselvan this weekend.
Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson, however insisted that Co-Chairs were 'committed' and 'impartial' with regards to promoting peace in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Solheim told Mr. Balasingham the international community favoured immediate talks between the parties in conflict in the implementation of the truce, without prolonging dispute over the venue.
The world community, Mr. Solheim pointed out, is alarmed at the sudden escalation in violence in Jaffna, which has the potential to break into a fully fledged conflict if it is not arrested in time.
Mr. Balasingham, while explaining the reality of the ground situation, blamed the Sri Lankan army of occupation for unleashing ruthless violence against university students and staff.
The armed forces are adopting high-handed repressive methods, utilising brutal force to suppress peaceful demonstrations by students and civilians, thereby generating public resentment and unrest in the northern city, Mr. Balasingham told the Norwegians.
The LTTE chief negotiator further explained that the non-implementation of some crucial obligations of the February 2002 ceasefire agreement was the main cause for the subversive violence in the Tamil homeland.
The Sri Lankan military’s intimidation, harassment and persecution of Tamils have increased manifold since the hardline General Sarath Fonseka became Chief of the Army, Mr. Balasingham explained.
The Norwegian delegation underscored the importance of resuming talks on the operative mechanism of the ceasefire without further delay.
Concious that Sri Lanka was insisting on a venue in Asia whilst the LTTE wanted talks to be held in Norway, Mr. Solheim pleaded that the venue should not be a major dispute for talks.
Mr. Tamilselvan told representatives of the Co-Chairs “the Tamil leadership is firm and will oppose Colombo’s effort on imposing geographical limitations and preconditions on the venue of talks on the … and thereby alienating the Liberation Tigers from European countries.”
