|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 9 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Delft incident no deterrent to peace process : Navy on full alert, deploys divers by Ramani Kangaraarachchi The Sri Lanka Navy on a round the clock alert after Friday's incident near the Delft islands where three cadres of the LTTE blew themselves up, has deployed a team of divers and several additional patrol boats in the Delft area. Captain Jayantha Perera, Director Media and Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy,pointing out that it was too early to comment on future action due to the sensitivity of the situation, said that the Navy is on the alert round the clock and that a team of divers and additional boats have been deployed to search for evidence that may help them with their investigation. Meanwhile, the LTTE yesterday released the names of the sea Tiger cadres who were killed in the incident. They were Major Amban, Captain Kuhan and Captain Pamanandan. Three cadres of the LTTE blew themselves up in a boat carrying arms and ammunition from the island of Delft in the early hours of Friday. The incident is being described as the most serious violation of the ceasefire agreement since it was signed almost one year ago. However, Sri Lanka Government chief negotiator Prof. G. L. Peiris and LTTE's negotiator Dr. Anton Balasingham, both still in Berlin, participating in peace talks have said that the incident would not derail the ongoing peace process. The latter has also admitted that the incident was the fault of the Tigers and has vowed to continue with the peace negotiation. In a joint statement, the government and the LTTE claimed that a communication gap between the cadres on board and the LTTE's Commander resulted in the suicide. It also stated that in co-operation with the SLMM, the parties will review existing procedures in order to avoid similar incidents in the future. The LTTE was reported to be mourning their dead cadres in the Jaffna area yesterday with black banners and mourning music. Sources in Jaffna said the town was quiet and no incidents of unrest had been reported. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
