"The LTTE has increased their strength enormously" says FM
[October 23, 2003 - 11.30 GMT]

"The LTTE has increased their strength enormously," said Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando in an interview with The Hindu, Wednesday. He was echoing sentiments expressed by Defence Minister Tilak Marapone earlier this month.

He further said that the Sri Lankan government is ready to meet any military challenge from the LTTE should the peace process collapse.

"I am not going to say the process is going to break down, but I don’t think the people will forgive us if we were not ready," he said.

He added that the LTTE must be “reasonable” as the government, had given in to many of their demands.

Minister Fernando accompanied Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe to New Delhi on Monday on a two-day official visit.

"I am extremely optimistic that the peace talks will succeed but equally the LTTE must know that if they do not succeed, everybody will lose, including them," he concluded.

PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: October 23, 2003  -11.30 GMT.