Government is ready to welcome genuine efforts to reinstall peace from LTTE- Media Minister
[23 Dec 2000]

The Minister of Information and the Media, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, said in a statement yesterday that the Government is not opposed to any genuine steps with the aim of finding a solution to the country's ethnic conflict.

The Government is also well aware of the compelling reasons that influenced the LTTE to declare a ceasefire at this particular time. In view of the previous unhappy experiences in having dealings with the LTTE, the Government has at no stage abandoned the view that in any dealings with the LTTE it is necessary to act with great caution and inquiry and understanding.

The full text of the Minister of Information and Media's statement:

"The LTTE has announced that effective from midnight of December 24, 2000 it will observe a unilateral ceasefire for a period of one month. This is described by the LTTE as a step towards creating an atmosphere of cordiality necessary to take the peace process forward. It also states that it has announced this ceasefire in view of the approaching Christmas festival, the New Year and the Hindu Thai Pongal festival.

The Government is not opposed to any genuine steps that are taken with the aim of finding a solution to the country's ethnic conflict. The Government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga has at all times acted giving the highest priority to this need. Looked at from this perspective, it would appear that the declaration of a ceasefire by the LTTE could be a productive exercise.

The Government is also well aware of the compelling reasons that influenced the LTTE to declare a ceasefire at this particular time. In view of the previous unhappy experiences in having dealings with the LTTE, the Government has at no stage abandoned the view that in any dealings with the LTTE it is necessary to act with great caution and proper inquiry and understanding. The Government, which has a deep commitment to ensuring the security of the nation, will at no stage give up its right to act with constant and continued inquiry and caution about any steps it takes with regard to the security of the nation and country.

Having such an attitude of caution and inquiry with regard to the ceasefire announced by the LTTE, is not in anyway an obstruction to taking a positive view of this decision.

The Government will soon issue a more detailed and comprehensive statement position on this matter," Minister Yapa stated.

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