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| Sunday, 14 April 2002 |
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Happy omen for peace process by DEEPAL WARNAKULASURIYA The People's Alliance has called for a cautious response to LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran's statements at Kilinochchi. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksha told the 'Sunday Observer' that what the people sought was peace in a country with one capital and under a single regime."That is the most vital factor and it should be understood by all political or guerrilla leaders in a country. Mr. Rajapaksa warned that the LTTE's insistence for an interim council would only delay the peace process. Commenting further on the LTTE's press conference the opposition leader observed: "Now he is trying to get the LTTE ban lifted. The LTTE has made its demands and now it is up to the Government to respond. Noting the yearning of the Sri Lankan population to end the war, the Opposition Leader asked the Government to respond to LTTE demands with care. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, in a statement last week, branded the LTTE press conference as an image building exercise. A statement issued by the JVP political bureau said: "Prabhakaran wanted to boost himself and his team through the media conference. But his miserable performances made him lose his status among the Tamil people. He was at a loss for words when he faced questions from the foreign and local media people. Prabhakaran was saved by Anton Balasingham, who said, in translation, something quite different from what he said. JVP Propaganda Secretary and MP Wimal Weerawansa told the 'Sunday Observer' that the Tiger leadership had said nothing new at the press conference. "The LTTE's aim still seems to be separation, it is doubt whether Prabhakaran is concerned about peace," Weerawansa said. The Political Bureau of the Sihala Urumaya said in its statement: It is clear that the LTTE is still for 'Eelam'. They were unable to say anything new at the press conference. The MoU between the Government and the LTTE enabled the LTTE to conduct this conference with much prominence". |
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