Opposition concerns the LTTE’s unilateral decision to suspend peace talks 

[April 28, 2003]

The Opposition parties view with concern the decision of the LTTE to suspend its participation in the negotiations for the time being and not to attend the scheduled talks in Japan in June. However, the Opposition parties are not surprised at this turn of events. They warned the UNP Government from the commencement of the negotiations that the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) was unbalanced and structurally flawed and would seriously affect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. The CFA gave to the LTTE concessions that were unwarranted and unnecessary while placing the Armed Forces at a considerable disadvantage and rendering the Tamil democratic parties operating in the North and East vulnerable to attacks by the LTTE. 

The overt reasons given by the LTTE for their withdrawal from the negotiations are that they were unjustifiably excluded from the recent Washington talks, that they had requested a change of venue which had not been granted, that the Ceasefire Agreement has not been implemented by the Government and that funds for development work are being earmarked essentially for the South rather than the North and East. The UNP Government will have to respond adequately to these allegations. The Opposition parties agree with President Kumaratunga that these reasons are feeble. We note in particular that the LTTE ignores the numerous serious violations of the CFA which they have committed, and continue daily to commit.

In the view of the Opposition parties the LTTE's letter is a tactic to bring maximum pressure to bear on the UNP Government to yield to its unreasonable demands as the price for returning to the negotiations, especially in the context of its demands for recognition as a de facto naval unit and withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the high security zones in Jaffna. The people must be, and the Opposition parties will be, vigilant to ensure that the UNP Government does not accede to these demands or enter into any more secret understandings with the LTTE in the name of the peace process.

The Opposition parties have expressed their opposition to the attempt by the Head of the Monitoring Mission to undermine the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. He has proposed in a so-called discussion paper which contains no contrary possibilities for discussion, that "in the spirit of the CFA the Government, and especially the Sri Lanka Navy, should recognise the LTTE Sea Tigers as a de facto Naval unit and the LTTE should be excluded from the law concerning limitations on outboard motors (OBM's)" that the Navy and the Sea Tigers should have "specific marked exercise and training areas at sea designed for navigation, training and live firing exercises". These, and other, preposterous propositions indicate clearly that the Nordic Monitoring Mission is contemptuous of Sri Lanka's sovereignty and is heavily biased in favour of the LTTE. Therefore, the Monitoring Mission and its present Head have lost the confidence of the Opposition parties.

The Opposition parties wholeheartedly support the Navy Commander in his opposition to the proposal of the Monitoring Mission with regard to the status of the LTTE's Sea Tigers. Likewise they wholeheartedly support the Army Commander of the North on his stand regarding the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the high security zones in Jaffna. 

All States and parties involved in the negotiations must realise that the sovereignty of Sri Lanka is not a tradable commodity; it is not negotiable and cannot be compromised. The UNP Government should note well the feelings of the people of Sri Lanka on this matter and act accordingly. The Opposition parties, who together currently represent the majority of voters in Sri Lanka, cannot countenance developments in the talks or on the ground that jeopardise the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. This is a paramount consideration to which the Opposition parties are deeply and irrevocably committed.

The LTTE's letter regarding withdrawal from the ongoing talks comes in the wake of serious clashes at sea, the harassment of the Muslim community in the East, the demand for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the high security zones in Jaffna, the suppression of democratic political activity in the North and East and continued ceasefire violations. The LTTE has spoken publicly of already having in place a permanent administration, a standing Army, a standing Navy, Law Courts, Police stations, banks and other institutions. The Opposition views with great concern the continued abduction of children for compulsory military service, which is well documented by national and international agencies. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has reported that, at the end of 2002, there had been 1403 recorded complaints against the LTTE for violations of the ceasefire, while there were 385 complaints against the Government. In 502 cases the Monitors have ruled against the LTTE, in 54 cases against the Government. In 313 child conscription cases the rulings have been against the LTTE, 503 such cases are still pending. There is a lack of balance in these investigations. LTTE cases are not pursued vigorously. They appear to be condoned. The continued extortion of money in the form of compulsory taxation, and the smuggling of arms, continue unabated. The rapid expansion of the armed forces of the LTTE has taken the number of their cadres to unprecedented levels. All these actions reflect the LTTE's intention to create and dominate some kind of parallel governmental entity in the North and the East, not responsible to the central government, which could pave the way to the establishment of a separate State. The UNP Government is placating the LTTE. It seems unwilling or unable to stand its ground and is thus steadily compromising the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Thus, a deep sense of anxiety has arisen in the minds of the people of Sri Lanka. 

These actions of the LTTE demonstrate a clear trend towards the consolidation of its authority in the Northern and Eastern Provinces which creates a grave risk of a separate State being established as a reality on the ground. In this regard the Opposition parties have continuously expressed their opinion and criticism but the UNP Government always considered these criticisms of the Opposition as an attempt to subvert the peace process, but the real situation has now become clear. It is the duty of the Opposition - a duty owed to the people - to ask questions and demand answers. The truth must be shared with the public. In this connection, the Opposition parties express their appreciation of the courageous reporting by many journalists, in different sections of the media, on matters relating to the ongoing negotiations and national security. The work of Mr. Iqbal Athas, Defence Correspondent of the Sunday Times, on defence matters is especially praiseworthy. 

The Prime Minister and his negotiating team have not yet, after 14 months of the current negotiations thought it fit to inform the country, the President and Parliament and perhaps even most of the Cabinet, of the policy frame work which would form the basis for negotiations. 

The Opposition parties call upon the UNP Government firstly, to insist that the LTTE should make a public declaration renouncing all forms of threat, duress and violence as a condition for continuing with the talks, and, secondly, that the decommissioning issue should unequivocally be stated to be "an indispensable part of the process of negotiation" which should be pursued in parallel with other aspects of the negotiations, as in El Salvador and Northern Ireland. 

Thirdly, the Opposition parties do not approve of the exclusive process of consultation that is presently being conducted between the LTTE and the UNP Government under the auspices of the Norwegian Government. They call for fuller and wider participation, in the ongoing talks of those who have legitimate claims to voice the aspirations of the various communities, ethnic, linguistic and religious, which have co-existed in Sri Lanka from time immemorial, including, especially, the elected representatives of the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Opposition parties also favour a process of national consultations on the resolution of the conflict. The Opposition parties wish to see human rights, governance and plurality questions vigorously pursued in the talks if they are resumed. 

The Opposition parties are deeply concerned about the present plight, and the future, of the Muslim community in the Eastern Province. Everything must be done to ensure their safety, and the safety of all the communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Their safety cannot be left to the mercy of the LTTE.

The signatory parties to this communiqué join in urging Her Excellency the President to take all necessary constitutional steps to protect the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and the security of its people. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that the Armed Forces are in a fit state of readiness to meet any eventuality that might occur. 

The Opposition parties feel that the time has come for a change in the composition of the Monitoring Mission. Otherwise, as recent events at sea have shown, grave damage could be caused not only to the sovereign interests of Sri Lanka but to the sovereign interests of our northern neighbour with whom we are linked, and will continue forever to be linked, by timeless bonds of history and common interest. India's concerns for the future of Sri Lanka in relation to her own interests deserve our respect and highest consideration. We note with concern that the naval conflict is fast becoming a regional problem relating to movements in the Indian Ocean. Thus monitors from India and two other countries should be invited to carry out the monitoring of unlawful LTTE activities at sea. (which excludes lawful passage) that are prejudicial to the interests of Sri Lanka and other concerned States.

In conclusion, the Opposition parties reiterate their support for a peaceful and political resolution of the national question in Sri Lanka acceptable to all the communities of the country. However, the Opposition parties feel that the time has come when they must take the necessary steps with regard to the concerns of the mass of the people of the country at the direction in which the talks with the LTTE are moving. 

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Last Updated Date: April 28, 2003GMT.