Unless the LTTE stops its barbaric conduct, which virtually challenges the International Community, the whole world will join hands to crush it, states Mr. V. Anandasangaree, leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and winner of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.

In a statement issued from Paris yesterday (July 2) condemning the LTTE’s attempt on the life of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Anandasangaree says the attempt on the life of the President, if successful, would have proved disastrous, and as foolish as the LTTE’s cold-blooded murder of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Here is the text of the TULF leader’s statement:

I strongly condemn the attack on the life of H E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which, if successful would have proved disastrous. I wish to tell Mr Velupillai Prabhakaran that this attempted assassination is not less foolish than the cold blooded murder of the former Prime Minister of India, Late Hon Rajiv Gandhi masterminded by you.

I warn you that this type of barbaric conduct on your part, which is virtually a challenge to the International Community, must cease immediately and the LTTE should agree for talks with the government and lay down arms unconditionally. At this rate they will loose even the little sympathy the International Community has for their cause- and not for them- resulting in the whole world joining hands to crush them completely. The developments that are taking place in different countries clearly show that this will take place sooner or later.

I personally think that the LTTE is not taking things seriously and taking the whole thing as a joke. While understanding the genuine concerns of the members of the security forces on this cowardly act, I strongly urge them to avoid overnight detention of innocents arrested on suspicion.