Karuna reiterates commitment to peace
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 July 2002, 12:35 GMT]
"There were insidious forces behind the recent troubles in the east. These forces should not be allowed to disrupt the peace process," said Col. V.Karuna, the commander of the Liberation Tigers for the districts of Batticaloa and Ampara, during a discussion with the head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and representatives of the Sri Lankan government in Kokkaddicholai, southwest of the eastern town Wednesday.
The head of the SLMM, Maj. Gen. Trond Furuhovde, Mr. Petter Nuland, Ms. Lena Mellander and Dr. John Gooneratne and Wg. Commander. Rajah Wickremesingha met the Liberation Tigers at their district secretariat for Batticaloa in Kokkaddicholai around 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Mr. Karikalan, senior official of the political division of the LTTE in the east, Ms. Bhanuka, the head of the women's wing of the LTTE's political division for Batticaloa and Ampara, Mr. Pulithevan, the special representative of the headquarters of the LTTE's political division in the Vanni, Mr. Visu, the head of the LTTE's political division for Batticaloa and Ampara, also took part in the discussion.
(Photos below) Col. V.Karuna, the commander of the Liberation Tigers for the districts of Batticaloa and Ampara and the head of the SLMM, Gen. Trond Furuhovde (left) Pulithevan, the special representative of the headquarters of the LTTE's political division in the Vanni and Gen. Trond Furuhovde (right).
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(Photos above) Mr. Karikalan, senior official of the LTTE's political division talking to the Sri Lanka govt. represntaive (left) and Mr. Karikalan with Gen. Mr. Petter Nuland, Gen Furuhovde and Pulithevan (right). |
Col. Karuna pointed out to the SLMM head of mission that many properties were set on fire near Police stations and army camps in the eastern district and nothing was done to stop the perpetrators of these crimes.
At the conclusion of the meeting Maj. Gen. Trond Furuhovde said that he felt there was a very constructive atmosphere during the discussions with the LTTE.
"The aim of such discussions is to further develop better direct communication and dialogue between the Sri Lanka army and the LTTE," he said.
The SLMM representatives said that the eastern commanders were committed to and keen for peace. Gen. Furuhovde was positive that there should be a direct communication link between the SLMM HQ and the LTTE leadership in the east.
The SLMM's head in Batticaloa said that he was "a bit sceptical in the beginning about the improving the situation in the east when he came for the meeting", but after Wednesday's discussions he said he was "really impressed and things have really got better."
Col. Karuna hosted members of the SLMM and representatives of the Sri Lankan government to lunch as the LTTE's district secretariat after the discussion.
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Photo:TamilNet |