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The Government today reaffirmed the declaration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 22 August 2006, during a meeting with the Co-Chairs Ambassadors that the Government remained ready to engage in talks with the LTTE following a clear commitment by the LTTE leader to a comprehensive and verifiable cessation of hostilities. However, the Government while appreciating the efforts of the Co-Chairs to help jump start the Sri Lanka peace talks, noted with concern “certain elements of the Co-Chairs statement”, issued September 12, 2006. The Government said making commitments regarding dates and venues for the resumption of peace talks without prior consultation with the Government amounted to “procedural irregularities”. The Government also deeply regretted that the statement contained factual inaccuracies such as the alleged bombing of a school in Mullaitivu, which the Government says is “deeply misleading”. The Government further pointed out that the peace process in Sri Lanka is conducted between a democratically elected government of a sovereign State and an armed group practicing terrorism. Noting that the LTTE had on previous occasion used the peace process as a means of enhancing its military capabilities, it urged the international community to put in place a practical mechanism to prevent the illegal procurement of arms and an effective blockade to the induction of weapons by the LTTE. The Government again reiterated its full commitment to participate at peace talks with the LTTE.
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