SLMM says ceasefire intact despite difficulties 
[March 19, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

On Monday afternoon, seven clear days after the Sri Lanka Navy destroyed a LTTE vessel in the seas off Mullaitivu, the Scandinavian Monitors issued their much-awaited findings in a report.

The report says ‘although both parties have asked the Head of the Monitors to give a ruling on this incident, ‘ruling only one of the parties to be responsible for this specific incident is not possible’.

In his first major trial as the new head of the SLMM, Major General Tryggve Tellefsen said, “The Ceasefire between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE has not been without difficulties, but it remains in force”.

In interviews with the SLMM, the LTTE has stated that it was a ‘merchant tanker’ of approximately 700 tons, 8 meters wide and 61 meters long and was operated by an independent shipping company supporting the LTTE financially. 

“However the LTTE has not been able to inform SLMM about the name and registration of the tanker or its port of departure,” the report said.

SLMM inquiry team which investigated the matter found around 30 fresh bullet marks on the superstructure and bridge of SLNS Sayura, the SLN vessel involved in the incident. 

The Sri Lanka Navy on March 10 attacked and sank a vessel in the seas off Mullaitivu in northeast Sri Lanka. The Navy deemed it was smuggling arms into Sri Lanka. The LTTE claimed it was a ‘merchant ship’ operated by a shipping company which assists them financially.

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Last Updated Date: March 19, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.