SLA, LTTE meet in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 2004, 16:05 GMT]
Delegations of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Friday held discussions in the presence of the Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Major General (retd) Trond Furuhovde, exploring ways to curb violence in Vavuniya. The Parties agreed to strengthen the dialogue prevent future incidents and to facilitate confidence-building between the parties, according to the joint statement released after the meeting.

Full text of the statement from the GOSL and the LTTE follows:

"A meeting took place in the SLMM Vavuniya District Office Friday between the GOSL and LTTE. The meeting was chaired by Major General (retired) Trond Furuhovde.

The agenda was how to avoid violence and increase co-operation between the parties. The meeting focussed on how to curb violence in Vavuniya and the Parties agreed on various practical steps to ensure the return to normalcy in Vavuniya. The Parties agreed to strengthen the dialogue with the intent to prevent future incidents and to facilitate confidence-building measures between the Parties. It was further agreed to strengthen the co-operation between the Parties regarding law and order issues and to implement measures and not to violate the Ceasefire agreement in order to strengthen safety and security for the general population.

The Parties agreed to hold daily meetings, chaired by the SLMM, for the continuation of Heroes Day Week. The Parties will co-ordinate events and share information pertinent to events held during the commemorations.

The GOSL delegation comprised Major General Kulathunge, Security Forces Commander, (Wanni), Brigadier Rajapakse, and Brigadier General Staff. From the Police Mr.Mahinda Beddewela, DIG, Wanni Range, Mr.Neville Guruge, Superintendent of Police and Rangith Kasthurirathna, Superintendent of Police.

The LTTE delegation comprised Mr.Gnanavel, Head of the Political Wing Vavuniya and Mr.Dharmendran, Political Wing, Vavuniya.

The SLMM delegation comprised Major general Trond Furuhovde, Head of Vavuniya District Per Sonnerby and delegates.

Major General Kulathunge and LTTE Vavuniya district political head Mr.Gnanavel signed the joint statement."