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LTTE reiterates its commitment to peace despite stalemate
Colombo, June 19: A senior Tamil rebel leader today reiterated the LTTE`s commitment to peace despite the continuing stalemate in peace process with the rebel outfit firm on its demand for establishment of an interim council in the north-east to resume talks.
Colombo, June 19: A senior Tamil rebel leader today reiterated the LTTE's commitment to peace despite the continuing stalemate in peace process with the rebel outfit firm on its demand for establishment of an interim council in the north-east to resume talks.
''The LTTE and its leadership are firmly committed to pursue peace and stick to its path,'' chief of the LTTE's peace secretariat, S Pulidevan, who was here during the weekend for medical treatment, said in an interview with a private television channel.
Pulidevan also denied media allegation that he met key parliamentary leaders of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA) during his stay here.
''I do not know who invented this story. It is totally baseless and far from the truth. Our political wing head S P Thamilselvan and our chief negotiator Anton Balasingham have already said that we do not want to do any business with the pa. We firmly wish to pursue the peace process with the United National Front (UNF) government,'' he said.
The senior leader's comments come a few days after the LTTE issued a warning to the government on the naval attack on its oil tanker vessel. The rebels in a statement after the attack on the vessel, suspected to be carrying war materials, warned the navy of ''very grave consequences'' if any harm came to its crew. Meanwhile, Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka Hans Brattskar yesterday held discussions with Thamilselvan in rebel-held Kilinochchi to defuse tension after the recent attack on the LTTE ship and to kick-start the peace dialogue.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Brattskar said the discussions were focused on the avenues to resolve the present impasse and to put the process back on the track. He described the meeting as ''constructive and fruitful'' in that direction.
Brattskar and his delegation also visited two Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) projects underway in Mullaitivu district, including a school for the visually and hearing impaired children and an orphanage where over 250 children are housed.
Bureau Report
Pulidevan also denied media allegation that he met key parliamentary leaders of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA) during his stay here.
''I do not know who invented this story. It is totally baseless and far from the truth. Our political wing head S P Thamilselvan and our chief negotiator Anton Balasingham have already said that we do not want to do any business with the pa. We firmly wish to pursue the peace process with the United National Front (UNF) government,'' he said.
The senior leader's comments come a few days after the LTTE issued a warning to the government on the naval attack on its oil tanker vessel. The rebels in a statement after the attack on the vessel, suspected to be carrying war materials, warned the navy of ''very grave consequences'' if any harm came to its crew. Meanwhile, Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka Hans Brattskar yesterday held discussions with Thamilselvan in rebel-held Kilinochchi to defuse tension after the recent attack on the LTTE ship and to kick-start the peace dialogue.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Brattskar said the discussions were focused on the avenues to resolve the present impasse and to put the process back on the track. He described the meeting as ''constructive and fruitful'' in that direction.
Brattskar and his delegation also visited two Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) projects underway in Mullaitivu district, including a school for the visually and hearing impaired children and an orphanage where over 250 children are housed.
Bureau Report