“What the LTTE could not achieve through war, it is now attempting to achieve through the Ceasefire Agreement” – EPDP writes to SLMM
[October 8, 2002  - 11.00 GMT]

“The people in Delft are indignant that the peace which existed in the island for more than a decade has been destroyed by permitting the LTTE to enter the island under the patronage of an agreement that is supposed to usher in peace,” the EPDP said in a letter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Chief, Trond Furuhovde yesterday.

The office of the Eelam Peoples' Democratic Party (EPDP) in Delft Island was attacked by a gang on Saturday and a member of the party abducted. 

According to the EPDP, the incident occurred when five drunken men armed with knives and swords appeared in front of the EPDP office using obscene language. The group led by Carter, an LTTE supporter, attacked the EPDP members who attempted to leave the office. 

“When the Police attempted to intervene in the incident, another group led by Kannan, the LTTE’s leader in Delft appeared on the scene and warned the Police not to intervene,” the letter said. 

The group has also set fire to a farm tractor, a motorcycle and other personal belongings of EPDP members, which were within the EPDP premises. 

Meanwhile Teitur Torkelsson, SLMM spokesman said that the LTTE has denied any involvement in the attack.  

“Though the EPDP charges that a local LTTE leader was present when the incident took place, there’s not enough evidence regarding this and our Monitors are continuing their investigation on the matter,” Torkelsson said. 

“But… there is a clear conflict between the LTTE and the EPDP for control in the island,” he added. 

The EPDP letter further stated that four EPDP representatives who reached Delft on Sunday morning to examine the matter were forced by a group of Tigers to return without visiting the place.  

However, the LTTE has handed over Ameen, the abducted EPDP member, to the representatives in the presence of the SLMM monitors on Sunday.  

“What the LTTE could not achieve through war, it is now attempting to achieve through the Ceasefire Agreement,” the EPDP letter stated. 

Meanwhile, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has directed Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle and Inspector General of Police T.E. Anandarajah to hold an immediate inquiry into the attack and take the suspects into custody.

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Last Updated Date: October 8, 2002  - 11.00 GMT.