SLMM secure release of soldier and policeman
[March 6, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

The Sri Lanka Monitoring mission (SLMM) yesterday secured the release of the Army Soldier and Police Constable in LTTE custody after a three-hour meeting with the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in Kilinochchi.

“The LTTE leadership declared that the release of the two men was a goodwill gesture to the SLMM, recognition of the SLMM’s authority and a sign of the dedication of the LTTE leadership to the Ceasefire Agreement and the Peace Process,” the Scandinavian Monitors said in a press release.

Army Corporal Nimal Kumara and Police Constable D.S.A. Gunasekara had been detained by the LTTE since December 24, 2002 and February 21, 2003 respectively.

“They should have been released long ago but we are very happy that it finally happened,” PA MP Anura Bandaranaike told the PRIU today.

The LTTE last week demanded and secured through the SLMM the release of seven LTTE cadres who were arrested by the Navy and in return promised the release of the two detainees.

However, the LTTE later announced that the release of the two would take place only after they were presented to the ‘LTTE court’ in mid March.

The outgoing Head of the SLMM Major General Trond Furuhovde, the new Head of the SLMM Major General Tryggve Tellefsen, the chief negotiator of the LTTE Anton Balasingham, and the head of LTTE’s political wing S.P. Tamilselvan, were also present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesman G.L Peiris said today that “the absolute necessity for compliance with directions that are issued by the SLMM,” would be taken up at the next session of talks.

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Last Updated Date: March 6, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.