Truce talks a new beginning - Minister Nimal Siripala

Bandula Jayasekara

CELIGNY: In his opening remarks at the ceasefire talks yesterday, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said certain grave anomalies arising from the Ceasefire Agreement should be rectified in the quest for peace.

"We consider the ceasefire as a first step to arrive at a negotiated settlement. The Government sincerely believes that taking steps towards establishing a meaningful and effective ceasefire would be one of the most important initiatives to provide for the improvement of the economic conditions of the people in the North and the East," Minister de Silva said.

"Our talks today marks a new beginning. Given the pragmatism, courage and far-sightedness of President Mahinda Rajapakse, we are confident that this beginning could be nurtured towards the achievement of the goals we have set ourselves," he remarked.

"We recognise, however, that the path ahead is likely to be one of challenge and complexity. Nevertheless, we sincerely believe that we should leave no stone unturned to bring about a peaceful environment in our country. We fervently hope that the LTTE would also respond with sincerity to develop a framework that would result in the cessation of hostilities and embark on the path of non-violence," the Minster added.

Citing the large number of ceasefire violations by the LTTE which seriously undermined the spirit of the ceasefire and threatened its termination, the Minister said this underscores the inherent weaknesses in the existing ceasefire agreement as well as the lacuna in setting out norms for its effective implementation.
He noted that the number of ruled violations by the LTTE as determined by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) since the beginning of the ceasefire up to the end of last month is a massive 3519. In comparison, the SLMM has determined that the Security Forces has violated the agreement on 163 occasions.

The Minister expressed grave displeasure and disappointment that deficiencies in the Ceasefire Agreement have been exploited in this manner, leading to serious strains being placed on the enforcement machinery of the country's system of law and order.

"These also show that the lack of sanctions being attached to violations when there are clear determinations made by the SLMM, is a very serious shortcoming that needs to be addressed in the interest of all concerned."

He recalled that the LTTE engaged in a series of provocative attacks against the Security Forces soon after President Mahinda Rajapakse came to power. "However, our President with his deep commitment to peace, reacted with patience and restraint to contain the tension that resulted from these acts of provocation and hostilities. This enlightened response was certainly not a sign of weakness, but a display of our firm commitment to peace."

The Minister pointed out that President Rajapakse had vowed to seek a fresh approach to the peace process.

The Minister also elaborated on Democracy and Human Rights, Children Affected by the Conflict, Law and Order, North-East development and other issues pertaining to the ethnic crisis.

The Minister also paid a special tribute to former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was assassinated by the LTTE on August 12, 2005.

The much-awaited ceasefire talks between the Government and the LTTE are being held at the Chateau de Bossey in Celigny, 22 km off Geneva.

Journalists from all over the world were taken to the venue by the Swiss authorities where everyone had to go through security checks before entering the room the talks are being held.

Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim and Urz Ziswiler, Political Affairs Director of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs entered the room with other officials.

They were followed by the Government delegation led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the LTTE's Anton Balasingham.

Welcoming the parties, Ziswiler said Switzerland was happy that both the Government and the LTTE decided to hold talks on strengthening the Ceasefire Agreement at a moment when political violence in Sri Lanka has been putting it under great strain.

He expressed the hope that the two days will see more confidence building on concrete foundations that will help the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.

He said: "The stronger the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, the better life is for the ordinary people in Sri Lanka."

He pledged that Switzerland aimed to provide impartial support for peace building in Sri Lanka. Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim said that the whole world was watching the ceasefire talks with much interest and specially the Indian leaders were watching and following it with great interest.

Speaking of the venue he said both parties have shown they had confidence in Switzerland as a venue and it was a vote of confidence for Switzerland.

Solheim said he had a strong feeling that both the Government and the LTTE wanted peace and to stabilise the CFA. These talks would create a climate for future development.

"It is not merely by talks but by the proper implementation of the CFA that the world would judge. All communities in Sri Lanka are having high expectations. Let us be realistic and keep our expectations accordingly," said Solheim. The Norwegian Minister applauded President Rajapakse's courage for peace.

Minister de Silva and Balasingham shook hands after Solheim's speech, before the start of the talks. Balasingham who shook de Silva's hand from a distance was asked by the international media to get close to Minister de Silva.

President Rajapakse withstood a heavy onslaught by the LTTE soon after he was elected as the President in November last year. The LTTE massacred innocent unarmed soldiers and civilians before agreeing to come for ceasefire talks. The LTTE which failed to provoke Rajapakse was put under heavy pressure by the United States and the international community.
