2nd lead

Sri Lankan armed forces, LTTE meet again in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 04:51 GMT]
Sri Lankan armed forces officers and political officials of the Liberation Tigers met Wednesday in Batticaloa after a long gap to discuss cease fire related issues in the eastern district. The LTTE delegation was led by Mr. E. Kousalyan, head of the Tigers' political division for Batticaloa-Amparai. Sri Lankan armed forces delegation was led by Brig. Vajira Wijegunawardena, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Sri Lanka army's 23 Division. Head of Sri Lanka truce monitoring mission, Maj. Gen. (ret) Trond Furuhovde presided.

L-R: Brig Wijegunawardena shaking hands with Mr. Dayamohan, Mr. Kousalyan and Mr. Marshall

The meeting began at 10. 30 p.m. at the Vavunathivu Divisional Secretary's office, 5 kilometres southwest of Batticaloa town, in the no man's land between areas controlled by the LTTE and Sri Lankan armed forces.

In a joint statement issued to the media at the conclusion of the meeting, LTTE and Sri Lankan armed forces said "The parties agree to meet twice a month to establish effective procedures on the ground to combat violence. The Parties also agreed to communicate on a regular basis to enable sharing of information, and quick reactions during incidents. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday October 6 2004. The Parties remain committed to and agree to focus and strengthen the Cease Fire Agreement entered into between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on 22nd of February 2002".

Mr.S Marshall, head of the LTTE headquarters branch for Batticaloa-Amparai,Mr. Kuyilinpan, head of LTTE political division for Amparai and Mr. Dayamohan, head of LTTE's administrative service in Batticaloa Amparai were in the Tigers' delegation with Mr. Kousalyan.

Commander of 23-3 Brigade in Batticaloa town, Col. Laksiri Amaratunga and Special Task Force commander for Batticaloa-Amparai Mr. Vasantha Ratnayaka(SSP) and senior Sri Lankan Police officers took part in the meeting.