Special Envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer De-Briefs the Government of Sri Lanka on his Kilinochchi visit - SCOPP [Tuesday , August 08, 2006- 9.45 GMT]

The visiting Norwegian delegation led by Special Envoy, Jon Hanssen Bauer returned to Colombo after a three-day visit to Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Trincomalee. Mr. Bauer met with a Government Minister and the Secretary General of SCOPP to de-brief on the discussions that he held with the LTTE. He stated that he was disappointed that the LTTE had not changed its position regarding the expulsion of EU nationals from the SLMM. He discussed the transitional stage of the SLMM in the run up to the LTTE ultimatum and possible options to re-constitute the SLMM to its current strength.

In relation to the Mavil Aru issue, Mr Bauer informed that the LTTE had expressed its willingness to open the sluice gates. It was pointed out that this offer leaves open the possibility that they could also close the sluice gates at their own discretion. The Government was of the view that the situation at the sluice gates at Mavil Aru must return to its original status in which the Engineers of the Irrigation Department could have unimpeded access to the sluice gates freely and safely to manage the water distribution. This was clearly stated to the Norwegian delegation. It was not only the Mavil Aru gate that had to be managed but a series of gates and water flow which is a technical matter for irrigation engineers. Accepting the LTTE approach would leave the populations of Seruwila, Muttur and Ichchalampattu, which consists of over 50,000 persons (largely Muslims) and 30,000 acres of paddy land, hostage to the whims of the LTTE. Given the recent attacks on the civilian population of Muttur and the threat to the Muslim inhabitants previously expressed in leaflets the LTTE offer of re-opening the sluice gates at their own discretion only submits the population to further possibilities of victimisation.

The Government takes the view that the LTTE must not illegally deny water to a civilian population again. The Government hopes that the LTTE will peacefully respond to this reasonable request.

The Government also brought to the attention of the Norwegian Special Envoy the conduct of Maj. Gen. Ulf Henricsson in traveling to an area in which operational activity was taking place without giving prior notice of his plans. It was only on Saturday, 5 August that Maj. Gen. Henricsson attempted to travel without informing SCOPP to the Southern sector of Muttur when fighting between the security forces and the LTTE was underway. It was the timely action of the security forces and SCOPP officials that prevented the Head of SLMM from driving into a conflict zone.

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Last Updated Date: August 8, 2006 -9.45 GMT