Norway's analogy on GOSL - LTTE biased
 

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

The government yesterday expressed surprise and regret over the Norwegian communication that urged the LTTE to guarantee diplomatic immunity to the truce monitors when it could only be done by a legitimate government of a sovereign state.

Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle yesterday scoffed at the Norwegian letter that raised five questions to the Government and the LTTE in which the Norwegians brought the LTTE into parallel with the sovereign government of Sri Lanka.

Rambukwelle said it was common knowledge that diplomatic immunity could only be granted by a sovereign government and not by any other organisation and questioned whether Norway was trying to imply that the LTTE enjoyed sovereign rights.` I feel the Norwegians have failed to draft that letter properly in a diplomatic manner', Minister Rambukwelle asserted.

When asked whether Government would respond to the five questions raised in the letter, the Minister pointed out that the letter was being studied but, the second question regarding diplomatic immunity where the LTTE too have been given the same status need to be clarified.

He pointed out that under the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement, the truce monitors were already covered with regard to diplomatic immunity and added that he could not understand the motive of Norway in raising it as a question where it had attempted to grant the same status of a sovereign government to an organisation fighting for separation within a sovereign state.

The second question in the letter states: Do the parties want the continued existence and operation of the SLMM as a mission coordinated, facilitated and led by the Royal Norwegian Government with diplomatic immunity to ensure its impartial operation?

The government is expected to respond to the Norwegian communication shortly.