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The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle has emphasized on behalf of all officers and men that unequivocal support would be extended to the ongoing peace process.

The Commander has released a statement in response to a press release by the LTTE on December 24 with regard to the issue of high security zones.

Statement of the Army Chief as follows:

"The attention of the Sri Lanka Army is drawn to the statement issued by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on December 26.

"The statement, referring to the high security zones blames the "military for placing unsurmountable obstacles in the path of peace and noramlcy". It adds "To raise the issue at this stage of the peace process and stipulate it as a condition for the humanitarian task for resettlement has a diabolical motive of disrupting the current peace effort".

"As Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, I wish to assert on behalf of all officers and men, that we unequivocally support the peace process.

"However, it must be emphasised that the Army has the sacred responsibility of safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. It is with this in view that the Security Force Commander (Jaffna) has stipulated certain conditions in his proposal.

"To do so, it must be clearly emphasised, is not to jeopardise the peace process. The Army firmly believes that advising the Government on matters of National Security that affect all communities in Sri Lanka is its public responsibility".

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