Prime Minister hands over MOU to Norwegian Ambassador in Vavuniya
[February 22, 2002 - 14.00 GMT]

Report from Anuradha Herath from the Wanni:

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabahakaran signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a permanent ceasefire between the two parties who have been at war for the past 18-years.

Around 200 local and foreign journalists gathered at the Vavuniya police station anticipating Wickramasinghe’s arrival on a tour of the Wanni area.

Wickramasinghe arrived at the Vavuniya air force base around noon and was received by the heads of the three armed forces. Also present were Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees, K. Ganesh Vavuniya Government Agent and Dharmalingam Siddharthan, head of PLOTE were also present at Omanthai.

The Prime Minister handed over the MOU to Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Jon Westborg. Speaking to the media shortly after, the Prime Minister refused to answer any questions regarding the contents of the document. It has been agreed for the Norwegian government to release the MOU tomorrow in all three languages. Wickramasinghe will meet the media Sunday, to discuss the contents of the MOU and any other matter regarding the peace process.

While declining to answer any questions regarding the stand of the President, Wickramasinghe however said he had informed the President as well as all the ministers that he will be going ahead with the agreement.

Asked about his feelings, Minister Milinda Moragoda said, “I think there is hope, but let’s see if we can realize our expectations.”

Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody was pragmatic. “I feel if we fight or not it is this, that should happen politically. If we can do that without fighting I think that’s the best that can happen to the country.” Commenting on the implementation of the agreement he said, “But if we understand what we are doing I don’t think that will be difficult.”

The signing comes with high tension resulting from the clashes that took place early Thursday between the LTTE and the Sri Lanka Navy off the coast of Mullaitivu. Questioned about the incident, Navy Chief Daya Sandagiri said, “Yes we fired at sea. We have been given the authority as far as the Navy is concerned.”

Asked about the Army website’s reference to the boats as ‘unidentified’, Sandagiri said that Navy Patrol Boats were approaching to identify the boats when the sailors were fired upon.

Tensions were further increased by an incident in Vavuniya in which four PLOTE members and one civilian were killed and one was injured, late Thursday. PLOTE leader and Member of Parliament, Dharmalingam Siddharthan said an abnormal person had begun shooting at random.

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Last Updated Date: February 22, 2002  - 14.00 GMT.