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The National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) yesterday staged an aggressive demonstration outside the Royal Norwegian Embassy against Norway's involvement in the peace process between the government and the LTTE. Members
of the NMAT demanded that the government quit the peace effort and
resort to the military option to defeat the LTTE, citing They
accused the Norwegian government for attempting to unite the two main
oppositions to hand over a part of the country to Tamil Tiger assassins
who have "no humanity," and have only selfish motives. "While
they were holding discussions, the Tigers had slain 22 innocent Sinhalese
people a couple of days ago. This was the 136th massacre aimed at
Sinhalese after July 1983. This massacre was very similar to what had
happened during the period of 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was signed.
A number of bomb explosions and bloodbaths were the result of that
so-called peace accord. That actually paved the way to Tigers to carry on
their ethnic cleansing," said Kamal Deshapriya who lead yesterday's NMAT
protest. Amidst
police protests, representatives of the NMAT were allowed to hand over a
letter addressed to the Norwegian Ambassador of Sri Lanka, to an official
in the embassy. The
letter addressed to the ambassador says that countries which support
the LTTE must make it clear whether they regard the conflict as an ethnic problem that
affects the country, a struggle for independence pursued by an oppressed
people, or a legitimate Sri Lankan Government struggle
against a murderous terrorist group. "The
LTTE has become a powerful political and propaganda organization because
of foreign assistance. We note with grave concern that they operate freely
with their headquarters in London and carry out arms purchases collect
funds and engage in false propaganda. It is essential that their
activities be made illegal and brought to an end if we are to end
terrorism. Many LTTE cadres residing in the west are war criminals. We
state with utmost responsibility that it is your duty as a country bound
to observe the standards of the moral and human dignity that these
criminals be returned to Sri Lanka to face the consequences of their
inhuman crimes," the NMAT letter said. The NMAT
said that the
LTTE's assassinations, especially of the civilians within whose
neighbourhoods they
have started to hide themselves, have caused humiliation to
the majority Sinhalese. Especially after the goodwill they have with the
minority Tamils, the Tigers had started to use this generosity as their
weapon against the Sinhalese people. According
to political sources, President Kumaratunga is determined to go ahead with
the peace process despite LTTE backlash. "The
emotional reactions from the Sinhalese people against the peace effort is
natural especially after their patience with the continuous LTTE attacks.
They are feeling betrayed," the NMAT said.
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