Ceasefire only if LTTE disarms itself completely - Keheliya
Rambukwella
by Ananth Palakidnar
[email protected]
In the backdrop of the Security Forces inflicting heavy damage on the
LTTE in the Wanni, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare
and Defence Media Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella has reiterated that
there won’t be a ceasefire at this juncture with the LTTE, until the
outfit totally disarms itself and enters the political mainstream
decently.
Minister Rambukwella made the Government’s stance clear on going for
a fresh ceasefire by saying that “First of all the ruthless outfit
should completely disarm itself before making any announcement of a
ceasefire. They cannot take the rulers of this country for a ride any
more. Whenever a ceasefire was announced in the past it was promptly
responded.
However, the LTTE played its dirty tricks and deceived the entire
country under the banner of ceasefire. It was India that initiated the
first ceasefire.
The outfit not only violated the ceasefire, but also fought against
the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and ultimately assassinated Rajiv
Gandhi as well. But the LTTE is trying to be in the good books of India
again by shedding ‘crocodile tears’ and asking for a ceasefire.
Our Government is not idiotic to trust the LTTE any more.
If the outfit disarms itself completely, we could consider a
ceasefire and engage in political talks. Until then we will brook no
nonsense with the terrorist organisation,” Minister Rambukwella said. e
said that the LTTE sympathisers in the State of Tamil Nadu are making a
big hue and cry in the guise of protecting the civilians in the north.
But they should understand that the LTTE was using the innocent
civilians as a human shield for their survival.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Indian Premier Dr. Manmohan Singh in
New Delhi very clearly that the Government was fighting against the LTTE
to save innocent civilians from the deadly grip of the outfit.
“The jubilant Jaffna civilians celebrated the capture of Pooneryn by
the Security Forces last week. They are happy that the arduous journey
they made to the south of Sri Lanka by sea would come to an end shortly
and they could travel by the new route via Pooneryn.
Therefore, the victories that are being gained by the Security Forces
in the battlefronts in the Wanni are aimed at creating peace in the
country and nothing else,” he said.
Commenting on the supply of essential items including food and
medicine for civilians trapped in the war-torn areas, the Minister said
that the Government has ensured that there was no starvation among the
people and the food items sent by India are also being distributed under
the guidance of International agencies in the Wanni.
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