Akashi expresses disapproval of LTTE violence

[May 10, 2006 - 8.00 GMT]

“It goes without saying that in my talks with Mr. Thamilchelvan, I expressed disapproval of any violence on their [LTTE’s] part, especially the attack on April 25 at the Army Headquarters in Colombo, where many were killed and the Army Commander was seriously injured,” said Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Special Envoy from Japan for the Sri Lankan Peace Process. He was speaking to the media today (Wednesday 10) after his discussions with the Government, the LTTE and other parties and organizations on the current status of the Peace Process.

He said such acts of violence by the LTTE were against all international standards and norms, and should be seen as such. He explained that the disapproval covered all acts of violence by the LTTE including claymore mine and grenade attacks, and attacks using other weapons.

Mr. Akashi said the Co-Chairs of the Sri Lanka Peace Process who will meet in Tokyo later this month will take stock of the situation in Sri Lanka vis-à-vis the peace process. India will also be invited to this meeting.  (Full story)

He said the ownership of the Peace Process lay entirely with the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE. The international community can only play a supporting role. “Sometimes too much can be expected from the Co-Chairs and the international community”, he added 

The scheduled meeting of Co-Chairs, with India, will take stock of the situation in Sri Lanka, “where we are, what we are doing, what we have done wrong, and engage in serious soul searching on our role in the Peace Process”. He said the Co-Chairs Act will act with all sincerity and commitment to achieving peace in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on impressions gathered in his current visit, Mr. Akashi said this was his first visit since December 2005, and at present he sensed a pervading sense of deep anxiety due to the atmosphere of increased violence. He observed an abiding mistrust on both sides.

Akashi said it was vital to re-start the Geneva talks where both parties can make their complaints and also make their own proposals, in the context of the level of violence going beyond bounds. “There is a foreboding sense of major disaster,” he said.

He was very impressed by the clear and strong statement by the Government condemning violence made in Parliament earlier today, by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This said: “I have been instructed by H. E. the President to inform Parliament that the Government vehemently condemns the recent spate of killings in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Avissawella and will take all necessary action to punish the perpetrators. This includes the killing of the 5 students in Trincomalee where the investigations are in progress. The Government considers as a curse the culture of impunity that this country has been witnessing at various dark periods since the 70s. As a democracy and a mature society we will not tolerate this any longer. We urge the police and the security forces to perform their duty to the country by maintaining law and order and in protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. This is what the citizens of the country expect from them.”

Commenting on the role of India a the next meeting of Co-Chairs, Mr. Akashi said they would discuss what India feels it could be doing, and would be able to do. He said their next meeting would not be just another meeting of the Co-Chairs, but one in which a thorough re-examination of the role of the Co-Chairs would be considered.  

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Last Updated Date: May  10, 2006 -8.00 GMT