We call upon the President and Prabhakaran to meet immediately

Excerpts of a statement by the National Anti War Front

The spectre of war hangs across the country. The people are fearful that a full scale war is being planned by both sides.

Violence haunts the country and daily we hear of killings, abductions and bombs being blasted. The LTTE explodes claymore bombs against soldiers and over 100 have been killed. Civilians bear the brunt of this escalating violence. The Ceasefire Agreement which provided a temporary respite to a war ravaged society is being blatantly undermined by both sides.

We demand that all parties honor the Ceasefire Agreement to the letter. We demand that the LTTE refrains from all acts of violence. We urge the Government of Sri Lanka to refrain from violence and not to encourage a culture of impunity.

We urge the LTTE to transform itself into a political party and get involved in the political process. We urge you to commit yourself to a united Sri Lanka where both sides can achieve a win-win solution. We urge the LTTE to make a statement assuring minorities and other political entities full representation and democracy in the North and East.

We urge the President to propose a political solution to the conflict. Many of the previous President have tried, too little too late. Sharing power with the national minorities is an absolute necessity. We are confident that the large majority of people are ready for it. We urge the President to request the Minister of Constitutional Affairs to immediately draft a new constitution stating what we can offer to the North East. We have the Indo Sri Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment which was introduced to this country with much blood shed. We also have the proposals for a new constitution presented by the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The President must give his highest consideration to present a solution acceptable to the Tamil people. Many have tried to by-pass the LTTE and to present a new constitution over their heads. These efforts have failed. We urge the government to address this urgent issue and present a solution to the LTTE. We congratulate the President for having successfully convened the all party conference. We urge him to make the all party conference a venue for dialogue for a solution and to deliberate on what the South can offer to the Tamil people.

Chairman, National Anti War Front.