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Ensure LTTE abandons terrorism

Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat and Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka Jayantha Dhanapala on Friday called on the US and the other Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference supporting the Sri Lanka Peace Process, to exert their influence at their forthcoming meeting to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly annual sessions, to ensure that the LTTE abandons terrorism and respects democracy and human rights norms.

Noting that the LTTE had continued to violate the ceasefire agreement with impunity, most recently demonstrated by the brazen assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Advisor Dhanapala said the time had come for the international community to hold the LTTE accountable, and to unequivocally demand that the LTTE strictly abides by the ceasefire agreement, returns to the negotiating table they unilaterally left in April 2003 and works towards finding a lasting political settlement to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

Advisor Dhanapala made these observations when he met with US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca and Senior State Department officials in Washington. Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US, Bernard A. B. Goonetilleke was associated with Dhanapala at this meeting.

Advisor Dhanapala told Assistant Secretary Rocca that Sri Lanka had no intension of abandoning the ceasefire agreement or replacing Norway as facilitator, but that there was an urgent need for other countries to play a greater role in supplementing Norway's efforts in getting the LTTE to the negotiating table. He expressed concern that although the LTTE sought to deflect international condemnation of their culpability for the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by agreeing to urgent talks, their recent rejection of the venue proposed by Norway, reflected a lack of sincerity.

Earlier welcoming Mr. Dhanapala, Ms Rocca said the US Government and the people were very touched and gratified by the speed at which Sri Lanka had come forward to assist those affected by hurricane Katrina.

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