Colombo, July 13: Tamil Tiger rebels have raised the stakes in Sri Lanka's faltering peace process by stating that they were ready for war in case of a change of government. A pro-rebel website today quoted the political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S. P. Thamilselvan, as saying they were still keen on peace but at the same time prepared for war.
"We are ready to face a war if it is imposed on us with the change of a new government. But we are firm in finding a political solution to the conflict through peaceful means," Thamilselvan was quoted as saying The website also carried a report criticising the government over Defence Minister Tilak Marapana's visit last week to Israel.
The website quoted a pro-rebel politician, Selvam Adaikalanathan as saying they were unhappy over the visit and said it indicated that the government may not be serious about peace. "We consider the steps taken by the government ministers to strengthen the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy as a provocative act. We condemn such types of actions by the government while talking of peace," he said.
The Norwegian-brokered peace talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government have been stalled since April. Bureau Report