Five years on, Norway ready to continue role
Govt. says LTTE now clearly an international terror outfit
Keheliya hopes India will do more to curb LTTE activities
By Easwaran Rutnam and Sunil Jayasiri
As the ceasefire agreement completes five years today the Norwegian Government said yesterday it stood ready to continue to serve as facilitator in the peace process, provided both the Government and the LTTE requested its continued assistance, and it felt it could make a constructive contribution.
Speaking at a function at the BMICH yesterday, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar said the country had witnessed a regrettable return to large-scale fighting and military offensives last year and this year, resulting in a dire humanitarian situation for thousands of civilians.
The Government meanwhile said it hoped India would play a more expanded role to curb the activities of the LTTE which continued to come under the spotlight on Indian soil following the seizure of an explosives laden rebel boat last week.
Addressing the weekly defense media briefing yesterday Government defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the capture proved the LTTE was very much an active international rebel movement despite the ban imposed by India and several other countries.
“The capture shows the LTTE may have been trying to carry out some terrorist act in India years after it killed Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This shows it is an international terrorist outfit,” Minister Rambukwella said.
The boat, which was ultimately destroyed by the Indian authorities on Tuesday, was seized together with A-K47 rifles, ammunition, suicide kits and cyanide capsules. Three suspects who were on the vessel were arrested.
Initially cautious on commenting on the need for India to do more to curb LTTE activities on its soil, Minister Rambukwella, giving into pressure from foreign correspondents, conceded “I request India to do more than this.”
Despite the Indian ban on the LTTE the rebels are believed to be very much active on Indian soil, especially in Tamil Nadu, where it gathers support from pro-LTTE politicians including Vaiko Gopalaswamy and others.
Commenting on the completion of the fifth year anniversary of the CFA Minister Rambukwella said the agreement contained clauses which violated the Constitution and the Government stands firm to deal with any activities which threaten Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and national security
“When President Rajapaske came to power he made it clear he will not allow the CFA to violate the Constitution. As far as the Government is concerned national security and sovereignty came first,” Minister Rambukwella said.
Ambassador Brattskar said so far neither party had abrogated the CFA, and it was his strong hope that they will soon see the need to secure its full implementation as it continues to be violated by both sides with a spate of killings, abductions and other human rights abuses, including child recruitment.
“Norway strongly believes that any efforts to bring about lasting peace in Sri Lanka must be supported by all ethnic communities. Norway has made repeated efforts to encourage multi-ethnic support, but cannot generate it alone. It is the people of Sri Lanka and their leaders, not Norway or any other party, who are ultimately responsible for deciding the future of this country and finding a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the present conflict. Norway is ready to lend its firm support,” the Norwegian Ambassador said.
He said the SLMM had managed to prevent many potential conflicts and had played an important role in shedding light on issues that would otherwise have remained hidden.
Govt. says LTTE now clearly an international terror outfit
Keheliya hopes India will do more to curb LTTE activities
By Easwaran Rutnam and Sunil Jayasiri
As the ceasefire agreement completes five years today the Norwegian Government said yesterday it stood ready to continue to serve as facilitator in the peace process, provided both the Government and the LTTE requested its continued assistance, and it felt it could make a constructive contribution.
Speaking at a function at the BMICH yesterday, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar said the country had witnessed a regrettable return to large-scale fighting and military offensives last year and this year, resulting in a dire humanitarian situation for thousands of civilians.
The Government meanwhile said it hoped India would play a more expanded role to curb the activities of the LTTE which continued to come under the spotlight on Indian soil following the seizure of an explosives laden rebel boat last week.
Addressing the weekly defense media briefing yesterday Government defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the capture proved the LTTE was very much an active international rebel movement despite the ban imposed by India and several other countries.
“The capture shows the LTTE may have been trying to carry out some terrorist act in India years after it killed Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This shows it is an international terrorist outfit,” Minister Rambukwella said.
The boat, which was ultimately destroyed by the Indian authorities on Tuesday, was seized together with A-K47 rifles, ammunition, suicide kits and cyanide capsules. Three suspects who were on the vessel were arrested.
Initially cautious on commenting on the need for India to do more to curb LTTE activities on its soil, Minister Rambukwella, giving into pressure from foreign correspondents, conceded “I request India to do more than this.”
Despite the Indian ban on the LTTE the rebels are believed to be very much active on Indian soil, especially in Tamil Nadu, where it gathers support from pro-LTTE politicians including Vaiko Gopalaswamy and others.
Commenting on the completion of the fifth year anniversary of the CFA Minister Rambukwella said the agreement contained clauses which violated the Constitution and the Government stands firm to deal with any activities which threaten Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and national security
“When President Rajapaske came to power he made it clear he will not allow the CFA to violate the Constitution. As far as the Government is concerned national security and sovereignty came first,” Minister Rambukwella said.
Ambassador Brattskar said so far neither party had abrogated the CFA, and it was his strong hope that they will soon see the need to secure its full implementation as it continues to be violated by both sides with a spate of killings, abductions and other human rights abuses, including child recruitment.
“Norway strongly believes that any efforts to bring about lasting peace in Sri Lanka must be supported by all ethnic communities. Norway has made repeated efforts to encourage multi-ethnic support, but cannot generate it alone. It is the people of Sri Lanka and their leaders, not Norway or any other party, who are ultimately responsible for deciding the future of this country and finding a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the present conflict. Norway is ready to lend its firm support,” the Norwegian Ambassador said.
He said the SLMM had managed to prevent many potential conflicts and had played an important role in shedding light on issues that would otherwise have remained hidden.
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