TULF MP urges Government to accept talk offer

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 November 1999, 04:50 GMT]
The Parliamentary group leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), Mr Joseph Pararajasingam, has appealed to the Sri Lankan government to accept the invitation of the Leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr.Velupillai Pirapaharan and to initiate talks immediately with him through third party mediation, without putting forward any pre-conditions.

Mr. Pararajasingham, TULF MP for Batticaloa district, said that he welcomed Mr. Pirapaharan's annual Heroes' Day speech. He further said that the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam had expressed its willingness for peace talks, even after it had gained militarily in the war-front.

Mr.Pararajasingham requested the government to seize the opportunity without any hesitation and to initiate talks with the LTTE. The government would repent for its mistake in the future if it failed to accept the invitation of the LTTE at this stage, he added.

Until now, the government of Sri Lanka was only telling the world that they were for peace. However, they were not taking any concrete steps to bring peace to the country. With the LTTE leader's call for talks, the government should act with a sense of responsibilty and pursue the option of entering into talks with the LTTE with third party mediation without any pre-conditions, Mr.Pararajasingham said.