LTTE, Muslims, SL Police meet in Amparai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 15 January 2004, 13:25 GMT]
A delegation from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), representatives from Muslim community and officers from Sri Lanka Police met at the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Akkaraipattu Wednesday from 9am to 12 am to discuss ways to resolve disputes that arise between communities, security sources said. Ms. Daria, Head of the Amparai branch of SLMM presided the meeting.

Deputy Head of Batticaloa-Amparai LTTE Political Wing, Kirushan, Deputy Head of Amparai political wing, Kuyilanpan, Head of Veeramunai political wing, Pillaivaanan, Head of Kalmunai political wing, Rajkumar and Head of Batticaloa Town political wing, Senathirajah, represented the LTTE at the meeting.

Amparai district President of the Peace Commission, I.M.Ibrahim, and Akkaraipatu region co-ordinator of Peace Commission, M.Uviz represented the muslim community at the meeting.

Representing the Sri Lanka Police in the meeting were Kalmunai Deputy Police Commisssioner, Vijaya Jeyawickreme, Akkaraipattu Inspector of Police, Buhari, Pottuvil Inspector of Police, Waahid, and Thirukovil Inspector of Police, Kariyappar, sources said.

LTTE group pointed out to the muslim and Sri Lanka Police officers the difficulties they have faced recently in carrying out political work, and urged them to take necessary action that will create a conducive environment for the LTTE to continue their political activities. The LTTE group added that they are firmly committed to maintaining peace and cautioned the attendees to be aware of extreme elements that are attempting to create discord between the Muslim and Tamil communities.

Mulim delegation raised issues confronting Muslim farmers and Muslim traders and assured the attendees that the Muslim community will not engage in any activity that will be detrimental to promoting harmony. THe delegation added that the best way to resolve issues that confront the Muslim people is to prompty resolve the disputes through discussions.

The Police delegation assured the attendees that they will fully co-operate to encourage discussions between civil groups to resolve community disputes. They also said that Police will not interfere in LTTE carrying out legitimate political work.

Attendees said that the meeting was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and expressed confidence in the ability of the civil groups to resolve community disputes before the disputes degenerate to levels that can lead to violence.