Lanka Expects Co-Chairs to Guarantee Tigers' Commitment to Peace Process

Vol. 26 No. 42 Monday 20th February, 2006 Rs.15 - 46 Pages Registered in Sri Lanka as a Newspaper - Late City Edition Lanka expects co-chairs to guarantee Tigers' commitment to peace process

by Shamindra Ferdinando we could not keep without com- The Norwegian led mission international community to back "The Tigers must know that it promising security," an official comprising representatives from its stand that peace talks should cannot take advantage of the sit- The government expects co-chairs to the Tokyo Donor Conference, said on the condition of anonymi- Denmark, Finland, Iceland and not be restricted to the govern- uation," he said. "But a lot would namely, the US, 25-nation block EU under Austrian leadership, Japan ty."We expect the co-chairs to pre- Sweden ruled over 3,400 LTTE ment and the LTTE, parties to the depend on the attitude of the co- and the peace facilitator Norway to prevent the Tigers from quitting vent their antics," he said while CFA violations including assassi- Oslo-arranged CFA. A spokesman chairs," he said while expressing the peace process on false pretext. emphasizing the importance in nations, abductions of both chil- said that Indo-Lanka calls for pro- concern over the Tigers insisting the five-nation Nordic truce mon- dren and adults and denying scription of the LTTE made in on recognition as the sole repre- Ministerial and highly placed to them and the withdrawal of itoring mission's presence at the them access between February the backdrop of Sri Lankan sentatives of the Tamil speaking military officials warned of an security zones in the northern first meeting between the two 2002 to December 31, 2005. The Foreign Minister Lakshman people. Tigers demand that the LTTE ploy amidst growing indi- and eastern provinces, thereby parties since the Tigers quit forces and police violated the Kadirgamar’s assassination last negotiations for the resolution of cations that the group would restricting troops to major negotiations in April 2003, during CFA on 162 occasions during the August was not dormant. the conflict should be restricted demand the handing over of erst- camps. Ranil Wickremesinghe's tenure same period. A ministerial source said the to the government while colleagues, led by Karuna, "They'll make a demand which as the Prime Minister. The government expects the request would not be dropped. Continued on page 2 LTTE fund raiser to 'Wimal, to be very frank with you ...' follow Geneva talks by Sujeeva Nivunhella duress. The scheduled meeting February 26, 2006 at Thamilini in London which they are under pressure to Restaurant, Martastr 145, 8003 Reports reaching here from attend, they fear, will be used to Zurich. In a letter sent to all the Geneva indicate that the LTTE increase the 'taxes' they are Tamil businesses, dated February will make use of the opportunity already paying. 15, 2006 by the organisers, it is to visit Switzerland to give a fur- The LTTE's Tamil Television stated that LTTE's political head ther boost to its war chest. Network (TTN), International S. P Thamilchelvan, 'Police Chief' The LTTE delegation will be Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) P Nadesan and 'Colonel' Jeyam meeting Tamil business people and the Eelamurasu Tamil news- will be attending the function. living in Switzerland after their paper are jointly arranging a The translation of the letter scheduled CFA talks for the pur- series of functions for the LTTE sent to the businesses is as fol- pose of raising funds. delegation. lows: This has caused concern to One such gathering for busi- A meeting with the business many Tamil businessmen who are ness people has been organised by community: paying 'taxes' to the LTTE under TTN, IBC and Eelamurasu for Continued on page 2

More mines detected LG bodies to Naval troops Sunday morning including two electrical. A senior be dissolved detected three claymore mines, each navy official said that the tripod- weighing about 7 kgs, near mounted claymore mines were President Mahinda Thalpadu, Mannar, a Navy head- detected shortly before troops moved Rajapakse is expected to quarters spokesman said. Troops in thereby averting a major attack. dissolve local govern- UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya with JVP heavyweight Wimal Weerawansa at Saturday's also recovered three detonators (SF) ment bodies scheduled to state funeral of Dr. A. N. S. Kulasinghe at the Independence Square. Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha go for polls on March 30. The Island learns that the dissolution is expect- ed to be announced early UNP goes to Court today this week. This comes in the God Kataragama by Piyasena Dissanayake ing elections. backdrop Provincial The Elections Commissioner had Councils and Local The UNP will go the Court of rejected the UNP's nominations list Government Minister Appeal today in a bid to overturn the on the grounds that it had a number Janaka Bandara figures in LG polls rejection of its list of of errors and carried Tennakoon requesting nominations for the the name of a candi- Rajapakse to dissolve by K.D.Devapriya, Skandakumara at the Asta Pala Bodhiya and the March 30 polls to the LG polls 2006 date who was below Municipal Councils, Kataragama Corr. Kataragama Devale during Maha Devale. Colombo Municipal the age of 18 on the Urban Councils and the past two days The visit by the politicians Council. basis of the 2004 electoral register. Pradeshiya Sabhas to The party is to plead of the Court A party spokesman said at the Hundreds of candidates, Candidates of the UNP, and local government hope- prevent abuses and mal- to quash the determination of the time the nominations were submit- contesting the March 30 Local UPFA, JVP and Independent fuls boosted flower, fruit and Elections Commissioner and to per- ted the said candidate had completed practices in run up to the polls. (SF) Government polls, were seen groups offered poojas and trinket sales, according to mit the party to contest the forthcom- the age requirement. offering poojas to God made vows at the Kiri Vehera, shop owners.

Punish CFA violators, disarm paramiltary groups – Bishop Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, all political parties, religious frame to discuss the core issues. Government controlled areas build trust amongst the peo- Bishop of Colombo, over the groups and civil society prior to It can also address immediate must be disarmed and their ple. Local religious and civil weekend, called for punitive the talks in Geneva. The talks in problems with a view to build- cadres offered gainful and society leaders should be international action against the Geneva are only a first yet sig- ing trust. protected rehabilitation. The invited to provide leadership. LTTE if it did not co-operate nificant step in our search for a The disregard for CFA viola- LTTE's political involvement Where necessary they should efforts to prevent violence in consensus among all parties tions must be addressed. in these areas should be be educated and trained. the northern and eastern areas. towards a political settlement of Either the role, composition defined to prevent a spill over Exchange programmes, a The following is the full text of the National Question. Geneva and authority of the SLMM into violent agitation. Where common reading of the histo- the Bishop's statement: may not address the core issues must be redefined and there is lack of co-operation, ry of the conflict, an "I appreciate the initiative of of a political settlement but it strengthened or a new mecha- sanctions must be imposed President Mahinda Rajapakse can build trust and confidence. nism must be devised. All para- with International backing. Continued on page 2 in calling for a dialogue among It can set an agenda and a time- military armed groups within Not enough is being done to