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ASSESSMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
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BACKGROUNDER
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Sri Lanka
Statement:2004
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 1 
On January 1, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) proposed an interim constitution for the country as a formula to reach a consensus between "the divergent and the polarised views of the different stake holders". Addressing the media, SLMC leader and Port and Shipping Minister Rauff Hakeem said tha
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On January 1, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) proposed an interim constitution for the country as a formula to reach a consensus between "the divergent and the polarised views of the different stake holders". Addressing the media, SLMC leader and Port and Shipping Minister Rauff Hakeem said that, "the polarised positions taken by the government, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the SLMC need to be compromised, and the objectives stated in the Oslo declaration be sought after." Adding that the SLMC considered interim constitution as the only way to reach a solution among the divergent views, the Minister said no administrative unit should be allowed to be left in isolation. "There should be self rule and shared rule", he added. Responding to the question of the merger of the North and East, Hakeem opined that the proposals are about self rule by the Muslims in Muslim majority areas and shared rule with the centre in a merged North and East.
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January - 6 
Separately at a ceremony held on January 6 at the Jaffna University, a senior LTTE member, V. Balakumar, reportedly claimed that the outfit will hereafter hold talks only with a strong Government having powers to issue orders to the security forces.
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Separately at a ceremony held on January 6 at the Jaffna University, a senior LTTE member, V. Balakumar, reportedly claimed that the outfit will hereafter hold talks only with a strong Government having powers to issue orders to the security forces.
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January - 7 
On January 7, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga to take over the task of handling the peace process by introducing suitable amendments to the Ceasefire Agreement of February 2001 and renegotiate the Accord with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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On January 7, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga to take over the task of handling the peace process by introducing suitable amendments to the Ceasefire Agreement of February 2001 and renegotiate the Accord with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Addressing a public gathering at Balagolla in Panduwasnuwara, the Premier said that certain clauses of the Ceasefire Agreement have become invalid today and "if the President is firm on retaining the three ministries under her and proceeding with the peace process then she must talk to the LTTE and renegotiate the agreement." He said his Government entered into the Ceasefire Agreement with the understanding that he controlled the military. But the President should take full responsibility in solving the crisis, he added. He also said that the Government did not have any objection to the President amending the agreement and placing her signature to it.
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January - 8 
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in a statement to the cabinet on January 8 reiterated that the Government could not continue with the ceasefire agreement unless it was in charge of all relevant institutions connected to the peace process. The Premier also said that the President was free to
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in a statement to the cabinet on January 8 reiterated that the Government could not continue with the ceasefire agreement unless it was in charge of all relevant institutions connected to the peace process. The Premier also said that the President was free to bring amendments to the Ceasefire Agreement in consultation with the Norwegian facilitators, as provided by Article 4.3 of the accord signed by the government and the LTTE in February 2002 and take full responsibility in solving the crisis.
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January - 8 
On January 8, the Scandinavian truce monitors said that the Ceasefire Agreement stands despite the Prime Minister's speech at a public rally on January 7, relieving himself of the responsibilities of the truce. "There is no change in the SLMM's role. We haven't got any new orders (following the Prim
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On January 8, the Scandinavian truce monitors said that the Ceasefire Agreement stands despite the Prime Minister's speech at a public rally on January 7, relieving himself of the responsibilities of the truce. "There is no change in the SLMM's role. We haven't got any new orders (following the Prime Minister's announcement) and the Ceasefire stands," Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) acting chief Hagrup Haukland told the Daily News.
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January - 12 
On January 12, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan said that it did not matter who the LTTE negotiated with, as long as that person had a mandate to make peace. "It does not matter if it is the executive President or the legislative Prime Minister, it is o
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On January 12, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan said that it did not matter who the LTTE negotiated with, as long as that person had a mandate to make peace. "It does not matter if it is the executive President or the legislative Prime Minister, it is only the power that the person holds, the mandate the person holds," he said. Thamilselvan said the fate of the peace process was in the hands of President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. Further he reiterated that the LTTE, accused of breaking four previous truces, would not be the first to break the current ceasefire. Despite their willingness to negotiate with either leader, Thamilselvan cautioned that while the political crisis drags on, Tamils were starting to lose hope of a return to normalcy.
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January - 13 
In an interview with the Independent Television Network on January 13, President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that the Ranil Wickremesinghe government was bound by the ceasefire agreement signed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and it was not a personal matter for Mr. Wickremesinghe to
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In an interview with the Independent Television Network on January 13, President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that the Ranil Wickremesinghe government was bound by the ceasefire agreement signed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and it was not a personal matter for Mr. Wickremesinghe to ‘simply wash his hands ‘off without officially informing her. "I don't consider very seriously everything that the premier says at public meetings. If he has taken any such decision to pull out of the ceasefire, he should officially inform me as the head of state," the President added, pointing out that if the government was dissolved tomorrow then the new government would be bound by the agreement.The President reiterated she was ready to give Mr. Wickremesinghe or any minister nominated by him all powers necessary to carry forward the peace process. The President further declared that she was Constitutionally empowered to continue her present term as President until 2006, whatever arguments are advanced to the contrary. She said it was up to her to decide whether to step down before this date or otherwise.
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January - 14 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on January 14, reiterated that it would continue with the truce agreement irrespective of the continuing political impasse in the South. This was conveyed at a meeting between Norwegian special envoy Erik Solheim and LTTE’s Anton Balasingham in London. A
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on January 14, reiterated that it would continue with the truce agreement irrespective of the continuing political impasse in the South. This was conveyed at a meeting between Norwegian special envoy Erik Solheim and LTTE’s Anton Balasingham in London. A spokesman for the LTTE political office in Kilinochchi quoted Balasingham as saying that the LTTE was prepared to participate in negotiations when a stable government assumes power in Colombo. LTTE political chief Thamilselvam made the same remarks when he met Norwegian Ambassador to Colombo, Hans Brattskar in Kilinochchi on the same day.
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January - 22 
According to the Daily News, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will not attend the January 23 donor meeting in Colombo, a follow up to the Tokyo donor conference, attributing its non-attendance to "political instability" in the South. Meeting visiting Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi
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According to the Daily News, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will not attend the January 23 donor meeting in Colombo, a follow up to the Tokyo donor conference, attributing its non-attendance to "political instability" in the South. Meeting visiting Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi in Kilinochchi, the LTTE political chief S.P. Thamilselvam turned down an invitation to attend the donor meeting saying that given the current political impasse, the LTTE's participation would "cast doubts in the minds of the Tamils". This will however be the third time, the LTTE boycotts a donor meeting since its unilateral suspension of the peace talks in April last year.
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January - 23 
Representatives of the Donor nations which met in the aid group meeting in Colombo, on January 23, reportedly said that they were ready to continue with financial assistance, while expressing concern that the on going political crisis will hinder the efforts for a negotiated settlement. The Governme
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Representatives of the Donor nations which met in the aid group meeting in Colombo, on January 23, reportedly said that they were ready to continue with financial assistance, while expressing concern that the on going political crisis will hinder the efforts for a negotiated settlement. The Government's Peace Secretariat said that the donor community expressed "its resolve to support the peace efforts in Sri Lanka, through the continued assistance for reconstruction and development activity". The Peace Secretariat added that participants expressed the need to expedite development activities to "ensure ownership of the peace dividend by everybody". The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was absent at the meeting, attributing their non-attendance to the political instability in the South.
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January - 25 
Donor nations will continue with financial assistance to Sri Lanka having acknowledged the peace process is moving forward despite the deadlock in negotiations, Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi said on January 25, while cautioning there may be modifications if the political crisis continues. Co
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Donor nations will continue with financial assistance to Sri Lanka having acknowledged the peace process is moving forward despite the deadlock in negotiations, Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi said on January 25, while cautioning there may be modifications if the political crisis continues. Commenting on the impact of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party-Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (SLFP-JVP) alliance on the peace process, he said in a reading of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two parties had demonstrated a "painful effort for a negotiated settlement with the LTTE". He said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have said that they will talk peace with anyone who comes out with authority and mandate to implement the ceasefire and the peace process. "As for the commitments pledged at Tokyo, they remain as they are. Nobody is holding back their words and responsibilities," Akashi who chaired January 23's donor meeting told a press conference.
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February - 4 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga in her address to the Nation, on February 4, to mark Sri Lanka's 56th Independence Day, reiterated her deep commitment to peace and called upon all political parties to join hands to resolve the national problems. The President observed that she believed that all poli
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President Chandrika Kumaratunga in her address to the Nation, on February 4, to mark Sri Lanka's 56th Independence Day, reiterated her deep commitment to peace and called upon all political parties to join hands to resolve the national problems. The President observed that she believed that all political forces should be united to find a solution to the serious problems of the Nation. "But I regret I have not so far been able to secure the agreement of the government for this proposal", she lamented. President Kumaratunga added that the commitment by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and all political parties towards peace through the continuation of the ceasefire should be appreciated.
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February - 9 
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Advanced Training Course for Military Officers held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute on February 9, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle said that the Ceasefire Agreement wil
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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Advanced Training Course for Military Officers held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute on February 9, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle said that the Ceasefire Agreement will continue despite the political change, and added that he believed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) too would adhere to the same.
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February - 10 
Speaking to the press on January 10 after meeting Maj. Gen (retd) Trond Furuhovde, head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, at the Thenaham Conference Centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Karadiyanaaru, ‘Colonel’ Karuna, senior LTTE ‘commander’, said that, "we are prepared to ta
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Speaking to the press on January 10 after meeting Maj. Gen (retd) Trond Furuhovde, head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, at the Thenaham Conference Centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Karadiyanaaru, ‘Colonel’ Karuna, senior LTTE ‘commander’, said that, "we are prepared to talk to any government that comes to power in Sri Lanka with clear authority and power. We are ready to negotiate with them to settle the conflict by peaceful means. We are also firmly committed to observing the ceasefire agreement. We urge the Sinhala people to reject obscurantism and chauvinism and to choose political forces that are forward looking for the sake of peace and progress." He added that the LTTE "will not interfere in the general elections in the east. The polls will be free and fair here."
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February - 18 
On February 18, President Chandrika Kumaratunga asserted that a Government under her leadership will not in any way incite or provoke the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to another war. Insisting that they had no intention of killing LTTE members, the President said their intention was to st
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On February 18, President Chandrika Kumaratunga asserted that a Government under her leadership will not in any way incite or provoke the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to another war. Insisting that they had no intention of killing LTTE members, the President said their intention was to strengthen the LTTE politically and encourage them to enter the democratic political framework. "We will encourage the LTTE to enter into the democratic frame work through Provincial Council or any other political mechanism introduced through a political solution", she said.
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February - 26 
Commenting on the Freedom Alliance’s stance on the peace process, President Chandrika Kumaratunga stated on February 26 that the future Alliance Government will commence peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to reach a solution while also ensuring the rights of all communities
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Commenting on the Freedom Alliance’s stance on the peace process, President Chandrika Kumaratunga stated on February 26 that the future Alliance Government will commence peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to reach a solution while also ensuring the rights of all communities. Addressing the inaugural United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) election rally at Anuradhapura Stadium, she opined that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were committed to a negotiated settlement without resorting to war.
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March - 1 
An activist of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), identified as Ponniah Yogendran, was reportedly shot dead by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres at Valachchenai in the Batticaloa district on the night of March 1. EPDP leader Douglas Devananda in a statement blamed the
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An activist of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), identified as Ponniah Yogendran, was reportedly shot dead by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres at Valachchenai in the Batticaloa district on the night of March 1. EPDP leader Douglas Devananda in a statement blamed the LTTE for the killing, saying Yogendran had been threatened by the Tigers. "The LTTE is attempting to gain the status of sole representative of the Tamil people by annihilating its political opponents as a means to achieve its fascist goals," the EPDP leader said in a letter to the Election Commissioner. Yogendran is the second opposition candidate to be killed in the run up to the elections. As reported earlier, Sundarampillai of the United National Front (UNF) was shot dead in his hospital bed at Batticaloa town earlier on the same day.
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March - 2 
The United States has reportedly condemned the killing of Batticaloa district UNF candidate Sundarampillai. US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in a media release, stated that although no one has claimed responsibility for the killing, recent LTTE statements were intended to discourage Tam
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The United States has reportedly condemned the killing of Batticaloa district UNF candidate Sundarampillai. US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in a media release, stated that although no one has claimed responsibility for the killing, recent LTTE statements were intended to discourage Tamil candidates of whom they did not approve. "The United States calls on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to renounce terrorism and cease terrorist acts, including political assassination, and to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement they signed," Boucher said in the statement.
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March - 3 
According to the Daily News, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) military leader for the East, 'Colonel' Karuna, has quit over alleged differences with his leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Karuna had reportedly refused to send 1,000 armed cadres to the North as ordered by Prabhakaran, the Sri La
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According to the Daily News, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) military leader for the East, 'Colonel' Karuna, has quit over alleged differences with his leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Karuna had reportedly refused to send 1,000 armed cadres to the North as ordered by Prabhakaran, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation stated in its news bulletin on March 3. After quitting, the former LTTE military leader has alleged that cadres from the North enjoy all the privileges, while on the other hand, LTTE members from the East have been suffering and nearly 2,300 had died in the ethnic conflict. Karuna also said that he would operate separately with a breakaway group of LTTE members in the East and promised to continue observing the cease-fire. He reportedly alleged that the LTTE's 'Intelligence Wing Leader' Pottu Amman was behind the murders being committed in the East. However, according to TamilNet, a spokesman for ‘Colonel’ Karuna denied that there was a split. ''We will be functioning directly under the command of our leader'', he said referring to reports that there was a major split in the LTTE. He said that command for Batticaloa-Amparai would take orders directly from the LTTE leader in future.
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March - 6 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan announced at a news briefing in Kilinochchi on March 6 that 'eastern commander' V. Muralitharan alias Karuna had been removed from his post. In a series of new appointments, the LTTE high command has appointed T. Ram
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan announced at a news briefing in Kilinochchi on March 6 that 'eastern commander' V. Muralitharan alias Karuna had been removed from his post. In a series of new appointments, the LTTE high command has appointed T. Ramesh as the 'Special Commander' of the Batticaloa-Amparai region (the LTTE's nomenclature for their eastern region) in place of Karuna, while Kaushalyan has been appointed as the Political Wing leader. Ram and Prabha have been appointed as the deputies of Ramesh in the military wing.
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March - 7 
Varanthan, spokesman for 'Colonel' Karuna's Batticaloa and Ampara headquarters, said that the expulsion of Karuna "lacks logic as we have already gone away from the organisation (LTTE)." He added that the breakaway faction will obey the truce agreement though "we are not a party to the cease-fire ag
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Varanthan, spokesman for 'Colonel' Karuna's Batticaloa and Ampara headquarters, said that the expulsion of Karuna "lacks logic as we have already gone away from the organisation (LTTE)." He added that the breakaway faction will obey the truce agreement though "we are not a party to the cease-fire agreement." He also said that the Jayanthan ‘Brigade’ from the East, who were guarding the Forward Defence Line of the LTTE in Pallai, in the North, have been disarmed and are now being held prisoner. Also, Paduman, the LTTE Trincomalee Commander - who was summoned to Killinochchi for a meeting - is now under detention. "Paduman knows everything about the discrimination faced by the Eastern cadres. Vanni administration detained him for the fear that he would join us", he added.
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March - 8 
In an interview to the Associated Press, 'Colonel' Pathuman, LTTE's Trincomalee 'commander', dismissed speculation that the LTTE leadership is holding him under house arrest in Vanni. Pathuman was responding to a question relating to the interview on March 8 over the BBC Tamil Service in which Mural
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In an interview to the Associated Press, 'Colonel' Pathuman, LTTE's Trincomalee 'commander', dismissed speculation that the LTTE leadership is holding him under house arrest in Vanni. Pathuman was responding to a question relating to the interview on March 8 over the BBC Tamil Service in which Muralitharan made this allegation.
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March - 10 
On March 10, spokesperson for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's caretaker Government, Prof. G. L Pieris, said that the Government would not exploit the current situation in the east to gain political mileage. He added that his Government would not interfere in Karuna's matter because it is an in
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On March 10, spokesperson for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's caretaker Government, Prof. G. L Pieris, said that the Government would not exploit the current situation in the east to gain political mileage. He added that his Government would not interfere in Karuna's matter because it is an internal affair of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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March - 11 
Erik Solheim stated that Norway would not interfere in the internal matters of the LTTE. "We did not involve ourselves in the discussion between the President and the Prime Minister and exactly in the same manner we will not take any part in the discussion between the LTTE leadership and Mr. Karuna.
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Erik Solheim stated that Norway would not interfere in the internal matters of the LTTE. "We did not involve ourselves in the discussion between the President and the Prime Minister and exactly in the same manner we will not take any part in the discussion between the LTTE leadership and Mr. Karuna. The first is an internal matter for the south and the second is an internal matter for the northeast", Solheim said.
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March - 11 
S.P.Thamilchelvan, leader of the LTTE political wing, answering questions from the media following his meeting with the Norwegian delegation in Kilinochchi on March 11, said that the LTTE was ready to help facilitate voting in the April 2 general elections in the country.
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S.P.Thamilchelvan, leader of the LTTE political wing, answering questions from the media following his meeting with the Norwegian delegation in Kilinochchi on March 11, said that the LTTE was ready to help facilitate voting in the April 2 general elections in the country.
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March - 11 
The Reuters has reported that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) breakaway leader 'Colonel' Karuna has denounced the LTTE leadership on March 11, saying they were no longer the sole representatives of the Tamil people. Karuna said that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran lacked the leadership t
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The Reuters has reported that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) breakaway leader 'Colonel' Karuna has denounced the LTTE leadership on March 11, saying they were no longer the sole representatives of the Tamil people. Karuna said that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran lacked the leadership to bridge the gap the two sides were facing. "I cannot see any positive leadership qualities in him (Prabhakaran) now. He took some improper steps, which is not a characteristic of a good leader," Karuna said.
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March - 21 
On March 21, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) handed over 35 youths who are under 18 years of age to the UNICEF at an event held at Sampur in the LTTE held Muttur east in the Trincomalee district. "UNICEF welcomes the release of these children," said Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF spokesperson in
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On March 21, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) handed over 35 youths who are under 18 years of age to the UNICEF at an event held at Sampur in the LTTE held Muttur east in the Trincomalee district. "UNICEF welcomes the release of these children," said Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF spokesperson in Sri Lanka in a media release issued from Colombo. "However, despite the release of the 35 children, the LTTE has continued to recruit children into the organization," the statement added.
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April - 2 
According to Daily News, brisk polling was reported across Sri Lanka, including the North-East, as more than 75 per cent of the registered 12.89 million voters exercised their franchise on April 2. The voter turnout is reported to have exceeded 80 per cent in some districts. Most areas remained peac
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According to Daily News, brisk polling was reported across Sri Lanka, including the North-East, as more than 75 per cent of the registered 12.89 million voters exercised their franchise on April 2. The voter turnout is reported to have exceeded 80 per cent in some districts. Most areas remained peaceful during the nine-hour voting period and Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said that "Election laws were very well enforced and I am grateful to the police as well as all others responsible for it… The election was generally peaceful, compared to previous elections."
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April - 5 
The outgoing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that whoever formed the next Government will first have to prove a majority in Parliament before moving into other crucial issues such as peace. "Everything else, whether it is the peace process or economy will be suspended if there is no stabl
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The outgoing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that whoever formed the next Government will first have to prove a majority in Parliament before moving into other crucial issues such as peace. "Everything else, whether it is the peace process or economy will be suspended if there is no stable Government. Today, there is no majority for any party. We are in a grey area at the moment having a Government without a majority in Parliament," Wickremesinghe said during a media briefing in Colombo.
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April - 6 
Speaking to the media the new Prime Minister called for a more active role for India in the island's peace process and said he was confident the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would never again renew their separatist campaign.
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Speaking to the media the new Prime Minister called for a more active role for India in the island's peace process and said he was confident the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would never again renew their separatist campaign.
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April - 7 
On April 7, the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, said the new Government would give high priority to restarting the peace process and bringing in constitutional changes to abolish the executive presidency and change the electoral system. Addressing the nation after the victory of the Uni
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On April 7, the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, said the new Government would give high priority to restarting the peace process and bringing in constitutional changes to abolish the executive presidency and change the electoral system. Addressing the nation after the victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the April 2 Parliamentary election, Ms. Kumaratunga said that the new Government, "will undertake all necessary actions to re-commence negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)" and "put in place immediately a comprehensive programme involving all sections, including those parties most concerned by the ethnic question" to work towards achieving a "durable and lasting peace."
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April - 8 
On April 8, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demanded that the new Sri Lankan Government headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse open peace talks based on their proposals for self-rule which was earlier rejected by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The demand was made through the Tamil
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On April 8, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demanded that the new Sri Lankan Government headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse open peace talks based on their proposals for self-rule which was earlier rejected by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The demand was made through the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which won 22 seats in the April 2 elections. "The TNA urges that steps be taken forthwith to commence negotiations with the LTTE... for the setting up of an Interim Self-Governing Authority, on the basis of the proposals submitted by the LTTE," the TNA said in a statement.
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April - 9 
The Sri Lankan Government stated that it considered the fighting between the two factions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a "violation of the ceasefire agreement." In the first and only official comment since fighting started on April 9, the Defence Ministry said that the President
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The Sri Lankan Government stated that it considered the fighting between the two factions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a "violation of the ceasefire agreement." In the first and only official comment since fighting started on April 9, the Defence Ministry said that the President had ordered the three service commanders to visit the eastern districts and "take all necessary steps to enforce law and order."
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April - 9 
Troops and police in Batticaloa and adjoining areas were placed on alert after the clashes broke out. Military spokesperson Col. Sumedha Perera said that there are no troops in this area. "There is no possibility of LTTE cadres going through government-controlled areas." While the Defence Ministry i
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Troops and police in Batticaloa and adjoining areas were placed on alert after the clashes broke out. Military spokesperson Col. Sumedha Perera said that there are no troops in this area. "There is no possibility of LTTE cadres going through government-controlled areas." While the Defence Ministry is believed to have called for a report from military heads, some officials also met the Sri Lanka Monitoring Missions (SLMM) Heads to discuss the situation in the Batticaloa district. SLMM spokesperson Agnes Bragadottier said the SLMM has no monitors in the area, but they were watching the situation.
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April - 12 
The Sri Lankan Government said that it would help Karuna to find a safe passage from the besieged eastern region "on humanitarian grounds"' if requested. The whereabouts of Karuna is still unknown.
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The Sri Lankan Government said that it would help Karuna to find a safe passage from the besieged eastern region "on humanitarian grounds"' if requested. The whereabouts of Karuna is still unknown.
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April - 13 
Reports in Daily News have stated that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) facilitated the release of nearly 150 child soldiers by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka’s eastern region on April 13. The UNICEF representative said "(this) large release of children is the be
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Reports in Daily News have stated that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) facilitated the release of nearly 150 child soldiers by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka’s eastern region on April 13. The UNICEF representative said "(this) large release of children is the beginning of a new trend by the LTTE towards the large scale demobilization of child soldiers and meeting their commitments under the peace process and the Action Plan for Children affected by war." Further, LTTE sources from Batticaloa-Amparai districts claimed that they have released all underage (under 18) cadres and will not recruit such minors in future.
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April - 14 
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) resumed its ceasefire monitoring work in the Eastern Province following the ousting of Karuna by the Prabhakaran faction. A SLMM spokesperson said that regular patrols would function as usual and they had re-established communication links with the LTTE author
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The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) resumed its ceasefire monitoring work in the Eastern Province following the ousting of Karuna by the Prabhakaran faction. A SLMM spokesperson said that regular patrols would function as usual and they had re-established communication links with the LTTE authorities in Batticaloa and Amparai districts.
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April - 15 
In a press release, the Ministry of Defence has denied media reports that the Army has provided escort to Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna to a destination in Colombo after the clash with the LTTE Wanni faction. It also stated that the security forces are unaware of the current wh
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In a press release, the Ministry of Defence has denied media reports that the Army has provided escort to Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna to a destination in Colombo after the clash with the LTTE Wanni faction. It also stated that the security forces are unaware of the current whereabouts of Karuna and his senior cadres.
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April - 22 
According to Daily News, the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has agreed to a request made by Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for Oslo to resume its facilitator role in the peace process between the Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam (LTTE)
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According to Daily News, the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has agreed to a request made by Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for Oslo to resume its facilitator role in the peace process between the Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam (LTTE). "I said that Norway was willing to comply, on condition that the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) also ask us to play a role," Bondevik said in a statement after President Kumaratunga telephoned him late on April 22. "We must first get a request from the Tigers. If that comes, and we hope it will, we will consult both sides about how the process can be brought forward," Bondevik later told the Norwegian NRK public radio. Norway had temporarily withdrawn from the peace process in November 2003.
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April - 27 
According to the Colombo-based Daily News, the Norwegian Government said on April 27 that it would send a delegation to Sri Lanka on May 1 for a meeting with the Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the first since Oslo agreed to resume its role as mediator. "The Norwegian delegat
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According to the Colombo-based Daily News, the Norwegian Government said on April 27 that it would send a delegation to Sri Lanka on May 1 for a meeting with the Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the first since Oslo agreed to resume its role as mediator. "The Norwegian delegation will explore with the two parties possible ways to take the peace process forward and how Norway might assist in this regard," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The head of the delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, will on May 1 meet with President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who last week asked Norway to resume its role as facilitator. Norway had suspended its mediation in November 2003 due to a dispute between Kumaratunga and the then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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April - 27 
The Sri Lanka Army on April 27 denied any involvement in the killing of seven Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, as allegations were leveled against it by the LTTE Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvan in his letter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). Spokesperson Colonel Sum
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The Sri Lanka Army on April 27 denied any involvement in the killing of seven Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, as allegations were leveled against it by the LTTE Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvan in his letter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). Spokesperson Colonel Sumedha Perera told Daily News that since the incident had occurred in LTTE-controlled areas of Batticaloa they have no involvement in the same as claimed by the LTTE. "All our movements are confined to government controlled areas and the LTTE was making allegation against the Sri Lanka Army on their own assumptions", added the Colonel. Thamilselvan in a letter sent to the SLMM had alleged that they have credible evidence that the attackers came from the Vavunathivu Army camp direction and escaped after attack in the same direction.
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May - 4 
Norway announced on May 4 that its Foreign Minister, Jan Petersen, will visit Sri Lanka on May 10 and 11 to explore possibilities for holding talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan Government. According to Daily News, Petersen will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign M
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Norway announced on May 4 that its Foreign Minister, Jan Petersen, will visit Sri Lanka on May 10 and 11 to explore possibilities for holding talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan Government. According to Daily News, Petersen will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen. A press release issued by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said Petersen will have meetings with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the LTTE. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry stated, "The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have in meetings with representatives of Norway expressed their desire to resume the peace talks. The parties have reiterated their commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement and their wish for Norway to continue with its role as the facilitator of the peace process."
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May - 6 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have recruited children in the past few days, said United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) officials on May 6. "We have verified four children have been recruited and we've taken in up with the LTTE, who say they are investigating," said UNICEF spokesperson
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have recruited children in the past few days, said United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) officials on May 6. "We have verified four children have been recruited and we've taken in up with the LTTE, who say they are investigating," said UNICEF spokesperson Geoffrey Keele. He said all four were from the northern Vavuniya region, about 220 km from the capital Colombo. Meanwhile, Agnes Bragadottir of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said that, "We don't have specific information, but we have noticed there is a child recruitment campaign on and it seems to be mostly in Vavuniya."
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May - 12 
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is reported to have said during a lecture in the United States that "Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam’s (LTTE) proposal for Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) is a blue print for a future separate State… it will be difficult for a sovereign governm
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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is reported to have said during a lecture in the United States that "Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam’s (LTTE) proposal for Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) is a blue print for a future separate State… it will be difficult for a sovereign government to accept." Further, he added that, "Discussions will take place and arduous negotiations will happen and compromises have to be made." Also, during an interview with CNN, he added that there was no danger of the ceasefire collapsing and it would hold.
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May - 13 
The Tamil Net Website has reported that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political advisor, Anton Balasingham, after holding a meeting with the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar helgesen on May 13, said that "the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government have agreed on most of the fundamen
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The Tamil Net Website has reported that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political advisor, Anton Balasingham, after holding a meeting with the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar helgesen on May 13, said that "the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government have agreed on most of the fundamental issues related to the resumption of peace talks and Norway delegates will make an official announcement regarding the agreement within a day or two."
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May - 14 
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Christina B. Rocca, said in Colombo that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "will remain'' in Washington's list as a "foreign terrorist organisation'' until it renounces violence and terrorism in "word and deed.''
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The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Christina B. Rocca, said in Colombo that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "will remain'' in Washington's list as a "foreign terrorist organisation'' until it renounces violence and terrorism in "word and deed.''
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May - 19 
Addressing a press conference on May 19 in Colombo, Japanese Special Peace Envoy, Yasushi Akashi, said that "the future peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be based on the Interim Self Governing Authority proposals submitted by the LTT
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Addressing a press conference on May 19 in Colombo, Japanese Special Peace Envoy, Yasushi Akashi, said that "the future peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be based on the Interim Self Governing Authority proposals submitted by the LTTE." He also said the ISGA proposals should debated before any consensus is reached. He reiterated that commitments made by Japan at the Tokyo aid conference to provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka remain unchanged.
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May - 25 
On May 25, the Indian envoy to Sri Lanka, Nirupam Sen, stated that India was willing to carry out reconstruction work in the "uncleared areas" of Sri Lanka, which are under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). However, he added that it would not have any engagement with the ou
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On May 25, the Indian envoy to Sri Lanka, Nirupam Sen, stated that India was willing to carry out reconstruction work in the "uncleared areas" of Sri Lanka, which are under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). However, he added that it would not have any engagement with the outfit. Sen said that "it is not necessary for the Government of India to talk to the LTTE," which was banned for a further two-year period last week. While India's assistance would be based on the requirements of the Sri Lankan Government he added that there could be a role for the private and public sectors in the reconstruction of the north-east as a part of its ongoing support to the people of the island-nation. The LTTE-controlled areas in Sri Lanka include parts of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and the Jaffna Peninsula in the north and parts of the three eastern districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai.
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May - 30 
On May 30, the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil dismissed demands for a review of the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and stated that the ban would continue. "Our stand is already there (ban on LTTE), what is there will remain." India had proscribed the LTTE in 1991 after the out
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On May 30, the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil dismissed demands for a review of the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and stated that the ban would continue. "Our stand is already there (ban on LTTE), what is there will remain." India had proscribed the LTTE in 1991 after the outfit assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Tamil Nadu and the ban was recently extended for a further period of three years.
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June - 2 
The Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 2 agreed to strengthen co-operation between the Security Forces, Police and the outfit to identify and arrest criminal elements responsible for the recent killings in Batticaloa district. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM
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The Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 2 agreed to strengthen co-operation between the Security Forces, Police and the outfit to identify and arrest criminal elements responsible for the recent killings in Batticaloa district. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesperson Disa Finnboga told the Daily News that the Security Forces, LTTE and the Police had a 'fruitful' discussion at the Vavunaitivu Divisional Secretariat under the Chairmanship of SLMM Acting Chief Hagrup Haukland. In a statement issued after the meeting, the SLMM said the LTTE agreed to immediately establish a direct liaison with the Sri Lanka Police. "The LTTE further agreed to provide information to assist with identification and apprehension of criminal elements in Batticaloa area", the statement added.
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June - 4 
Sri Lanka's governing ally, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has urged the international community to exert pressure on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to give up the "pre-condition'' linking its proposal for interim self-rule in the northeast to resumption of the stalled peace talks
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Sri Lanka's governing ally, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has urged the international community to exert pressure on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to give up the "pre-condition'' linking its proposal for interim self-rule in the northeast to resumption of the stalled peace talks. "The Tiger organisation which states there are no pre-conditions for discussions on the other hand says they would not discuss anything other than proposals on an interim administration.'' The "main reason'' for the delay, which perturbs the international community as well, is this "pre-condition,'' the JVP's Parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, said in a statement.
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June - 11 
According to Reuters, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has agreed to a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demand to hold talks on the proposal for interim self-rule, overcoming a stumbling block to restarting the stalled peace talks. The President is reported to have indicated this du
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According to Reuters, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has agreed to a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demand to hold talks on the proposal for interim self-rule, overcoming a stumbling block to restarting the stalled peace talks. The President is reported to have indicated this during her audience with parliamentarians from the LTTE-backed Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on June 10. "She is prepared to talk now on the basis of the ISGA [Interim Self Governing Authority], not linking the core issues," Joseph Pararajasingham, a member of the TNA delegation, told Reuters, referring to the LTTE proposal for an interim self-governing authority in the north east region of Sri Lanka. The president’s office has, however, declined to comment on the issue.
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June - 12 
President Kumaratunga in an Address to the Nation over television on June 12 on the occasion of the Government completing 60 days in office had said that a team of senior Cabinet Ministers would be appointed to negotiate with the LTTE once dates for the talks are agreed upon. "While the two parties
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President Kumaratunga in an Address to the Nation over television on June 12 on the occasion of the Government completing 60 days in office had said that a team of senior Cabinet Ministers would be appointed to negotiate with the LTTE once dates for the talks are agreed upon. "While the two parties have not yet reached agreement about how to proceed, the Government will approach the issue of the content of the next round of talks in a principled manner," the President further said. According to her, the Government is also ready to discuss with the LTTE interim political measures that can address this need within the contours of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
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June - 13 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 13 accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga with resorting to "political duplicity'' and warned donor nations that the country would return to a "bloodbath,"' if the international community did not exert pressure on the Government. In a rejection of
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 13 accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga with resorting to "political duplicity'' and warned donor nations that the country would return to a "bloodbath,"' if the international community did not exert pressure on the Government. In a rejection of what it termed a new condition by the President that "discussions on core issues should go parallel to interim administration,'' the LTTE said it was impractical to do so as ‘Sinhala regime’ was not prepared to meet its demand for an interim administration, nor was the President's Government numerically strong.
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June - 17 
Government spokesperson, Media and Information Minister Mangala Samaraweera on June 17 declared that the Freedom Alliance Government remains committed to peace and intends commencing talks as early as possible. The Minister stated that the Government expects the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTT
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Government spokesperson, Media and Information Minister Mangala Samaraweera on June 17 declared that the Freedom Alliance Government remains committed to peace and intends commencing talks as early as possible. The Minister stated that the Government expects the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) too has the same commitment to resume negotiations.
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June - 22 
On June 22, the United States Assistant Secretary for South Asia, Christina Rocca, said that the designation of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation will remain and Washington is looking forward to the day when the LTTE will take the "necessary steps" to get off the li
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On June 22, the United States Assistant Secretary for South Asia, Christina Rocca, said that the designation of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation will remain and Washington is looking forward to the day when the LTTE will take the "necessary steps" to get off the list. "At the moment there are no plans to take them off. They continue to recruit child soldiers. They continue to conduct extra-judicial assassination of politicians who disagree with them. They are continuing to stockpile weapons ... they will need to renounce terrorism in word and deed in order to be taken off that list. And we look forward to the day when they can do that," Ms. Rocca told lawmakers of the Asia Pacific sub-committee of the House Panel on International Relations.
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June - 23 
Leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas Devananda, has reportedly opined that the expelled military leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), V. Muralitharan (`Colonel' Karuna), has a role in mainstream democratic politics. The EPDP leader, who is also a member of
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Leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas Devananda, has reportedly opined that the expelled military leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), V. Muralitharan (`Colonel' Karuna), has a role in mainstream democratic politics. The EPDP leader, who is also a member of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance Government, said he was in telephonic contact with Karuna. Responding to reports in the Sri Lankan media that he had asked Karuna to join politics, Devananda said, "I now want to bring him back into the democratic mainstream, just like how we did in the 1990s.''
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June - 24 
On June 24, the Sri Lankan Government conceded that some individuals in the military supported the former 'commander' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), V. Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna, but maintained that there was "no official involvement, directly or indirectly with the breaka
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On June 24, the Sri Lankan Government conceded that some individuals in the military supported the former 'commander' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), V. Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna, but maintained that there was "no official involvement, directly or indirectly with the breakaway group.'' "Obviously there have been military personnel involved. We are not denying it," but "the Government is not officially involved," Government spokesperson Mangala Samaraweera said at a press conference.
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June - 27 
Major General Shantha Kottegoda has been appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Defence Ministry officials said on June 27.
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Major General Shantha Kottegoda has been appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Defence Ministry officials said on June 27.
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June - 30 
Speaking to the press after meeting Norway’s special peace envoy Erik Solheim on June 30 in Kilinochchi, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing leader Thamilselvan said that the outfit was committed to resuming peace talks. He, however, added that the Government should take the initi
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Speaking to the press after meeting Norway’s special peace envoy Erik Solheim on June 30 in Kilinochchi, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing leader Thamilselvan said that the outfit was committed to resuming peace talks. He, however, added that the Government should take the initiative in this regard. Thamilchelvan said that "if the Sri Lankan President and government are serious about the cease-fire agreement and peace talks they should stop sheltering Karuna and backing the murder and mayhem in which some of his henchmen are indulging Batticaloa." Speaking to the press at the conclusion of the meeting, Solheim said that "there is no major breakthrough I can speak of at the moment but we as facilitators are working hard to bring both the parties to the negotiating table soon."
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July - 1 
On July 1, President Chandrika Kumaratunga rejected publicly aired allegations by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that the Government had authorised Sri Lankan military activities in the Eastern Province in support of the 'Colonel' Karuna faction. At a meeting with Norwegian peace envoy
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On July 1, President Chandrika Kumaratunga rejected publicly aired allegations by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that the Government had authorised Sri Lankan military activities in the Eastern Province in support of the 'Colonel' Karuna faction. At a meeting with Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim, she rejected the LTTE charges and expressed confidence that the Sri Lankan Army would continue to abide by the Ceasefire Agreement. She also reiterated the Government's commitment to achieving a lasting peace and maintaining the Ceasefire Agreement, the Presidential Secretariat added.
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July - 7 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that she did not foresee any damage being caused to the peace process as a result of the suicide attack. While regretting the incident, the President observed that the peace process fell into a much broader category to be derailed by a mere incident of this natur
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President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that she did not foresee any damage being caused to the peace process as a result of the suicide attack. While regretting the incident, the President observed that the peace process fell into a much broader category to be derailed by a mere incident of this nature. Separately, Minister Devananda later urged the LTTE chief Prabhakaran to "abandon the wrong path, if he was keen on the interests of the Tamil people, and come into the political mainstream.''
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July - 8 
United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary and the Energy Minister Susil Premjayanth said in Colombo on July 8 that the suicide attack was not aimed at sabotaging the peace process and it will not diminish the Government's efforts to achieve lasting peace. "It was revealed in Police i
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United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary and the Energy Minister Susil Premjayanth said in Colombo on July 8 that the suicide attack was not aimed at sabotaging the peace process and it will not diminish the Government's efforts to achieve lasting peace. "It was revealed in Police investigations that the sole intention of the suicide bomber was to kill Minister Douglas Devananda which the LTTE had failed to carry out on several occasions," Premjayanth told the media at a special UPFA news conference.
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July - 9 
On July 9, the United States urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to give up terrorism, saying the July 7 suicide bombing in Colombo had the hallmarks of the LTTE. "Although no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, the incident bears the hallmarks of an LTTE attack," the US Em
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On July 9, the United States urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to give up terrorism, saying the July 7 suicide bombing in Colombo had the hallmarks of the LTTE. "Although no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, the incident bears the hallmarks of an LTTE attack," the US Embassy said in a statement in Colombo. "The US has consistently called on the Tigers to renounce terrorism and cease terrorist acts, including political assassinations, and to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement that they signed," the Embassy added. The United States has said that it would not lift its October 1997 ban on the LTTE until they completely renounce the use of violence and enter the democratic mainstream.
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July - 11 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on July 11 that it was prepared to go back to fighting Government forces, thus ending the ongoing cease-fire which has been in place since February 2002. "We are ready to face the war that the Sri Lankan state has decided to thrust on us thus," said L
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on July 11 that it was prepared to go back to fighting Government forces, thus ending the ongoing cease-fire which has been in place since February 2002. "We are ready to face the war that the Sri Lankan state has decided to thrust on us thus," said LTTE’s eastern political wing leader E Kousalyan to the pro-LTTE Tamilnet Website. He also accused the Sri Lankan Government for "openly promoting" renegade commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna by "providing him state radio facilities to attack the Tigers with the obvious aim of destroying the mutual goodwill on which the cease fire is based."
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July - 16 
According to Daily Times, the United States and Sri Lanka are to hold talks to curb the illicit movement of radioactive materials worldwide. A statement released by the US embassy in Colombo on July 16 said representatives of the US Energy Department will visit Colombo to discuss the "MegaPorts" pro
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According to Daily Times, the United States and Sri Lanka are to hold talks to curb the illicit movement of radioactive materials worldwide. A statement released by the US embassy in Colombo on July 16 said representatives of the US Energy Department will visit Colombo to discuss the "MegaPorts" programme with Sri Lankan officials. Through "MegaPorts" the United States hopes to co-operate with large seaports worldwide to detect the illicit movement of radioactive materials. The scheme is reportedly being implemented in the Netherlands and Greece. Under the initiative, law-enforcement officials will be able to pre-screen most of the cargo that enters the world trade system for weapons of mass destruction and for nuclear and other radioactive materials.
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July - 24 
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has said all responsible for the July 1983 ethnic riots that sparked off a civil war in the country must apologise if the country is to move forward. "We should apologise to each other. There should be a public apology. It is only then that we can get the b
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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has said all responsible for the July 1983 ethnic riots that sparked off a civil war in the country must apologise if the country is to move forward. "We should apologise to each other. There should be a public apology. It is only then that we can get the burden off our shoulders and take the country forward," Kumaratunga said on July 23 while addressing a ceremony held in Kandy.
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July - 26 
Speaking to the media persons in Kilinochchi on July 26 after meeting with Helgesen, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) political wing leader Tamilchelvan said that the LTTE had not received any agenda from the Government and that there was no change in its position as outlined to the Nor
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Speaking to the media persons in Kilinochchi on July 26 after meeting with Helgesen, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) political wing leader Tamilchelvan said that the LTTE had not received any agenda from the Government and that there was no change in its position as outlined to the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Petersen, during his visit in May 2004.
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July - 27 
The Presidential Secretariat said that the Government was willing to commence negotiations on an interim authority within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and to reach a durable solution to the conflict.
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The Presidential Secretariat said that the Government was willing to commence negotiations on an interim authority within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and to reach a durable solution to the conflict.
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July - 28 
On July 28, the visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, stated that the two parties, the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), were committed to peace although there was no progress to report in terms of an early resumption of peace talks. In a meeting with
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On July 28, the visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, stated that the two parties, the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), were committed to peace although there was no progress to report in terms of an early resumption of peace talks. In a meeting with media persons, Helgessen said that he was not optimistic about an early resumption of talks. Further he added, "the Ceasefire Agreement is not the peace agreement. It only means that war has been frozen. Today the frozen war is melting at the edges. That is not a good thing."
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July - 29 
At a separate press conference, the opposition United National Party (UNP) offered unconditional support to the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), if its main constituent, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), opposed moves to talk to the LTTE on the basis of its proposals for an ISGA (Interim
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At a separate press conference, the opposition United National Party (UNP) offered unconditional support to the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), if its main constituent, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), opposed moves to talk to the LTTE on the basis of its proposals for an ISGA (Interim Self-Governing Authority).
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July - 29 
On July 29, the Sri Lankan Government spokesperson, Mangala Samaraweera, stated that it was extremely flexible in its approach to the resumption of negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and called upon them to show seriousness and commitment to the peace process. Outlining th
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On July 29, the Sri Lankan Government spokesperson, Mangala Samaraweera, stated that it was extremely flexible in its approach to the resumption of negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and called upon them to show seriousness and commitment to the peace process. Outlining the Government's willingness to get the peace process moving, Samaraweera said "we are prepared to resume negotiations any time, anywhere, any place."
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July - 30 
According to Daily News, 34 child soldiers were released to the UNICEF-supported transit centre in Kilinochchi on July 30 by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "UNICEF welcomes the release of these children… All of these children will go home soon and we are very glad to assist them in reu
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According to Daily News, 34 child soldiers were released to the UNICEF-supported transit centre in Kilinochchi on July 30 by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "UNICEF welcomes the release of these children… All of these children will go home soon and we are very glad to assist them in reuniting with their families," said Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF spokesperson in Sri Lanka. UNICEF also said the LTTE has continued to recruit children across the North and East despite having made a commitment to put an end to this practice. "Over the past three months, recruitment of children by the LTTE has continued despite commitments the organisation made to cease all underage conscription. This is simply unacceptable and all recruitment must cease now," Keele stated.
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August - 2 
During a meeting on August 2 of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Executive Council, President Chandrika Kumaratunga emphasized that the Government is not ready for peace talks on the basis of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals.
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During a meeting on August 2 of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Executive Council, President Chandrika Kumaratunga emphasized that the Government is not ready for peace talks on the basis of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals.
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August - 5 
On August 5, Cabinet spokesperson Mangala Samaraweera stated that the Government was developing a fresh set of proposals on an interim administration for the country's northern and eastern districts that would form Colombo's position whenever talks recommence with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eela
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On August 5, Cabinet spokesperson Mangala Samaraweera stated that the Government was developing a fresh set of proposals on an interim administration for the country's northern and eastern districts that would form Colombo's position whenever talks recommence with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Declining to spell out details of the proposals, Samaraweera added that the Government's offer will be a development on the draft constitutions prepared since 1994, encompassing subjects such as reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement.
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August - 16 
According to The Hindu, Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, has offered to meet the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief, Velupillai Prabhakaran, if the stalled peace negotiations resumed and progress was made. However, she also cautioned the LTTE that she would order troops to mar
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According to The Hindu, Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, has offered to meet the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief, Velupillai Prabhakaran, if the stalled peace negotiations resumed and progress was made. However, she also cautioned the LTTE that she would order troops to march into rebel-held Sri Lanka if the LTTE’s internecine war endangered the country, according to a report in a western news agency. In a recent interview to the United Press International, the President was quoted as saying that she was willing to meet the LTTE chief, "Not for the sake of just shaking hands, but if negotiations begin and we are progressing quite definitely at some point we have to meet."
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August - 16 
EPDP headquarters in Colombo alleged that the killing was carried out by the LTTE. "We have no other suspects. We are one hundred percent sure it is the LTTE," Stephen Pieris of EPDP Colombo office told Daily News. "The LTTE has assassinated 113 people in the North and East and in Colombo since the
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EPDP headquarters in Colombo alleged that the killing was carried out by the LTTE. "We have no other suspects. We are one hundred percent sure it is the LTTE," Stephen Pieris of EPDP Colombo office told Daily News. "The LTTE has assassinated 113 people in the North and East and in Colombo since the signing of the MoU in 2002. This was the 114th killing," the EPDP spokesperson added.
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August - 16 
On August 16, addressing the media after meeting a European Union (EU) delegation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) Political Wing leader, S.P. Thamilselvam, said that the outfit was not under pressure by the international community. The EU delegation had reportedly raised issues relati
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On August 16, addressing the media after meeting a European Union (EU) delegation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) Political Wing leader, S.P. Thamilselvam, said that the outfit was not under pressure by the international community. The EU delegation had reportedly raised issues relating to killings, child recruitment and abductions, but the LTTE blamed Sri Lanka's "political contradictions and "power struggles'' for having resulted in "the Tamil people losing faith in the peace process.''
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August - 20 
On August 20, the United States urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to stop political assassinations, suicide bombings and recruitment of child soldiers and resume peace talks with the Government. The call was made by the US State Department amid a spate of political assassinations bla
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On August 20, the United States urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to stop political assassinations, suicide bombings and recruitment of child soldiers and resume peace talks with the Government. The call was made by the US State Department amid a spate of political assassinations blamed on the LTTE including the August 16 killing of Eelam People's Democratic Party Media Secretary Kandasamy Iyer Balanadarajah. Noting that President Chandrika Kumaratunga had shown a desire to move forward on the peace process launched with a 2002 ceasefire, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said the LTTE "needs to respond positively and enter talks with the Sri Lankan Government".
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September - 3 
According to the Colombo-based Daily News, the Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 3 to discussion the security situation in Batticaloa. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesperson, Oskar Solnes, told Daily News on August 31 that Major G
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According to the Colombo-based Daily News, the Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 3 to discussion the security situation in Batticaloa. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesperson, Oskar Solnes, told Daily News on August 31 that Major Gen (Retd), Trond Furuhovde, was able to fix this meeting following separate discussions he had with the Security Forces Chiefs and LTTE area leaders in Batticaloa. "The SLMM Chief raised the issue of continued killings in the East with both parties stressing that the only way forward is to commence ground level talks between the two parties to sort out differences", Solnes added. The LTTE had, since June 2004, withdrawn from the ground level meetings they had with the Security Forces to discuss the security situation, accusing the Army of harbouring their breakaway leader Karuna and his supporters.
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September - 3 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on September 3, ruled out a return to war despite factional killings and expressed hopes of a peace deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The President said she believed neither side wanted to return to fighting although the LTTE had refused to resum
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President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on September 3, ruled out a return to war despite factional killings and expressed hopes of a peace deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The President said she believed neither side wanted to return to fighting although the LTTE had refused to resume face-to-face negotiations with her Government. "I don't think the LTTE has much to gain by going back to war," the President said, adding that she herself would ensure that the Oslo-brokered truce would be upheld by the troops. She added that the Government agreed to discuss an interim governing authority for LTTE-held areas and was ready to set up such a council within about three months, but the outfit refused.
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September - 7 
The LTTE has alleged that on September 7, a group of Sri Lankan Army commandos attacked the outfit’s border post at Pullumalai, 65 kilometers from Batticaloa. A senior LTTE official in Batticaloa said that "two men in the group were killed in our counter fire according to mine clearing workers in th
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The LTTE has alleged that on September 7, a group of Sri Lankan Army commandos attacked the outfit’s border post at Pullumalai, 65 kilometers from Batticaloa. A senior LTTE official in Batticaloa said that "two men in the group were killed in our counter fire according to mine clearing workers in the area who were forced by the attackers to carry their wounded across the border last night". Kousalyan, head of the LTTE political division for Batticaloa-Amparai districts, speaking to TamilNet, a pro-LTTE website, stated that "this is a very serious development. We are studying the matter."
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September - 7 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), on September 7, urged the Sri Lankan Government to commence talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) without delay on the basis of the ISGA (Interim Self-Governing Authority) proposals. "The TNA also desires to emphasise that all political forces in t
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), on September 7, urged the Sri Lankan Government to commence talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) without delay on the basis of the ISGA (Interim Self-Governing Authority) proposals. "The TNA also desires to emphasise that all political forces in the country desirous of taking the peace process forward and sustaining the ceasefire should, in a spirit of goodwill, work together to achieve the objective," TNA Parliamentary Group Leader R. Sampanthan told the Parliament while making a special statement.
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September - 8 
On September 8, the United States Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, Cofer Black, stated in Colombo that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must negotiate with the Government of Sri Lanka in good faith and also renounce terrorism in word and in deed. Ambassador Black said that the US Govern
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On September 8, the United States Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, Cofer Black, stated in Colombo that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must negotiate with the Government of Sri Lanka in good faith and also renounce terrorism in word and in deed. Ambassador Black said that the US Government strongly supports the current peace process in Sri Lanka and commends the efforts of the Norwegian Government in facilitating this process. "I want to make this very clear and I don't want any misunderstanding - the LTTE is presently on our list of foreign terrorist organisations and they are going to remain there until they show by word and deed that they are negotiating in good faith," he added.
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September - 27 
The European Union (EU) on September 27 barred Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres from visiting its member-states and said it was considering listing the group as a terrorist organisation. "The European Union is actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisat
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The European Union (EU) on September 27 barred Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres from visiting its member-states and said it was considering listing the group as a terrorist organisation. "The European Union is actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation," the EU said in a statement issued by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It also informed that "In the meantime, the European Union has agreed that with immediate effect, delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU member states until further notice."
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September - 28 
Political wing leader of the LTTE, S. P. Thamilchelvan, on September 28, has reportedly appealed to the European Union (EU) for reconsideration of its recent decision that "delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States until further notice." He stated that EU's
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Political wing leader of the LTTE, S. P. Thamilchelvan, on September 28, has reportedly appealed to the European Union (EU) for reconsideration of its recent decision that "delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States until further notice." He stated that EU's decision will appease, and indeed will give moral support to, extreme Sinhala nationalists who are demanding the abrogation of the peace-talks and resumption of war. "We urge the European Union to desist from being partial to one party and to rescind its recent declaration," said Thamilchelvan.
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October - 4 
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) in Colombo on October 4, President Chandrika Kumaratunga sought a commitment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that the Interim Administration as well as the final solution should b
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Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) in Colombo on October 4, President Chandrika Kumaratunga sought a commitment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that the Interim Administration as well as the final solution should be based on the Oslo Declaration signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE in December 2002, which declared that a Federal solution should be sought within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. The President added that while her Government believed that peace has to be negotiated it did not believe in "peace at any cost".
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October - 4 
Norway's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vidar Helgesen, reportedly met with Thamilselvan, Head of the 'Political Wing' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in Geneva on October 4. Later, a press release from the Royal Norwegian Embassy stated that Helgesen communicated to the LTTE de
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Norway's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vidar Helgesen, reportedly met with Thamilselvan, Head of the 'Political Wing' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in Geneva on October 4. Later, a press release from the Royal Norwegian Embassy stated that Helgesen communicated to the LTTE delegation Norway's growing concern regarding continuing breaches of the ceasefire agreement. Helgesen stated that Norway condemns the political killings taking place in Sri Lanka and appealed to the delegation that the LTTE does everything possible to stop such killings.
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October - 5 
At a meeting on October 5 with a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) delegation visiting Geneva, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called on the outfit to end political killings and the recruitment of child soldiers, states a press releas
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At a meeting on October 5 with a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) delegation visiting Geneva, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called on the outfit to end political killings and the recruitment of child soldiers, states a press release from the three organisations. "We appealed to the senior LTTE leaders to show the world that they are both willing and capable of respecting the lives and rights of all Sri Lankans," said Nicholas Howen, Secretary-General of the ICJ. "At a time when we should be moving back to peace talks the LTTE seems to have dramatically escalated the killing of perceived Tamil opponents and is still recruiting child soldiers," said Loubna Frelh, Geneva-based Director for Human Rights Watch.
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October - 9 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have recruited 1,424 children, out of which 45 have been abducted during the last 28-month truce period ending August 31, while 359 adults were abducted during the same period, a spokesperson of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said on October 9, ac
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have recruited 1,424 children, out of which 45 have been abducted during the last 28-month truce period ending August 31, while 359 adults were abducted during the same period, a spokesperson of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said on October 9, according to Daily News. Overall, from 4,903 total number of complaints against the LTTE and 961 against the government, 2,439 violations against the LTTE and 111 against the Government of Sri Lanka had gone on record, the SLMM added.
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October - 14 
On October 14, the Cabinet spokesman, Mangala Samaraweera said that the Government’s "counter-proposals" were "ready and waiting" to be submitted to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and hoped that the talks would resume. Declining to go into the contents of the counter-proposals, Samarawe
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On October 14, the Cabinet spokesman, Mangala Samaraweera said that the Government’s "counter-proposals" were "ready and waiting" to be submitted to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and hoped that the talks would resume. Declining to go into the contents of the counter-proposals, Samaraweera, said that the Government was "very baffled that the LTTE is not coming to talks," as Colombo had "done everything possible" during the last six months to resume the negotiations. The LTTE had submitted its proposal for an Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) in October 2003.
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October - 19 
LTTE ‘commander’ of the Sea Tigers, Thillayampalan Sivanesan alias ‘Colonel' Soosai was reportedly flown out of Sri Lanka on October 19 night for "a medical emergency". Confirming reports to this effect, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) said the Norwegian team, facilitators
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LTTE ‘commander’ of the Sea Tigers, Thillayampalan Sivanesan alias ‘Colonel' Soosai was reportedly flown out of Sri Lanka on October 19 night for "a medical emergency". Confirming reports to this effect, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) said the Norwegian team, facilitators of the process, informed that the senior LTTE ‘commander’ "was in need of emergency medical treatment abroad because of his rapidly worsening condition caused by an old injury sustained in conflict" and the Government, "on humanitarian grounds," facilitated his departure by providing transport to Soosai and his medical team from rebel-held Kilinochchi to Colombo, after which the "group travelled abroad on Sri Lankan passports at their own expense," the SCOPP said.
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October - 19 
The Trincomalee district LTTE ‘political leader’ Elilan said, "If the Government of Sri Lanka does not accept our committed stand to find a negotiated political resolution to the Tamil national question on the basis of our ISGA proposals, then war will be inevitable. We are prepared to face that pro
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The Trincomalee district LTTE ‘political leader’ Elilan said, "If the Government of Sri Lanka does not accept our committed stand to find a negotiated political resolution to the Tamil national question on the basis of our ISGA proposals, then war will be inevitable. We are prepared to face that prospect."
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October - 20 
According to media reports, the head of LTTE’s ‘Political Wing’, S.P.Thamilchelvan has told Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Peterson, in Oslo that Tamil people are losing hope in the peace process and that LTTE views with increasing concern that anti-peace elements are gaining momentum in the South.
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According to media reports, the head of LTTE’s ‘Political Wing’, S.P.Thamilchelvan has told Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Peterson, in Oslo that Tamil people are losing hope in the peace process and that LTTE views with increasing concern that anti-peace elements are gaining momentum in the South. Thamilchelvan also stated that Jan Petersen expressed his concern that delay in restarting the peace process is having negative impact in disbursement of funds promised by the donor community.
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October - 23 
Sunday Observer states that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in their latest report submitted to the Government this week have ruled out the reports of an existence of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military build up around Trincomalee harbour. SLMM spokesman Oskar Solnes said the tr
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Sunday Observer states that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in their latest report submitted to the Government this week have ruled out the reports of an existence of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military build up around Trincomalee harbour. SLMM spokesman Oskar Solnes said the truce monitors had not found any indications of a LTTE military build up around the harbour and that all the LTTE installations the SLMM had visited during investigations were "well within the LTTE controlled area". Ceasefire monitors, however, could not visit three alleged LTTE installations built deep inside the jungle.
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October - 27 
Anton Balasingham, LTTE ‘ideologue’ and chief negotiator, has reportedly remarked that Tamil Tigers have not abandoned their right to secede despite agreeing to explore a federal solution, the rebels said amid fresh diplomatic moves to salvage a faltering peace bid. "The Liberation Tigers' decision
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Anton Balasingham, LTTE ‘ideologue’ and chief negotiator, has reportedly remarked that Tamil Tigers have not abandoned their right to secede despite agreeing to explore a federal solution, the rebels said amid fresh diplomatic moves to salvage a faltering peace bid. "The Liberation Tigers' decision to explore federalism ... does not entail an unconditional abandonment of the Tamils' right to external self-determination and secession," he stated. Balasingham's remarks has been taken from his yet unpublished new book "War and Peace" and reproduced on the pro-rebel website Tamilnet.
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October - 27 
Japanese Special Peace Envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi who arrived in Sri Lanka on October 27 night commenced discussions with the Government on the current position of the peace process in Sri Lanka after meeting Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Representatives from the Tamil National Alliance
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Japanese Special Peace Envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi who arrived in Sri Lanka on October 27 night commenced discussions with the Government on the current position of the peace process in Sri Lanka after meeting Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Representatives from the Tamil National Alliance met Akashi in Colombo and has reportedly urged him not to release the US $ 4.5 billion pledged by the international community at the Tokyo donor conference in June last year to the Government until peace talks are commenced. Akashi is scheduled to visit the Eastern province and will meet Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ‘Political Wing’ Leader S.P. Thamilselvan and other LTTE representatives in Kilinochchi on October 31. Akashi following his seven-day visit in Sri Lanka is also due to brief the Indian Government.
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October - 27 
The representatives of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders are scheduled to meet in Batticaloa on October 30 to discuss the security situation in the area, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Spokesman Oskar Solnes said. He added that the Acting Head of
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The representatives of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders are scheduled to meet in Batticaloa on October 30 to discuss the security situation in the area, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Spokesman Oskar Solnes said. He added that the Acting Head of the SLMM Hagrup Haukland will chair the meeting while the Sri Lanka Army Welikanda Batticaloa Division Commander Brigadier Vajira Wijegunawardena and 233 Brigade Commander Colonel Laksiri Amaratunga are expected to participate at this meeting. The Batticaloa-Ampara LTTE ‘Political Wing Chief ‘ E. Kausalyan will represent the LTTE at the meeting.
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October - 29 
The first meeting of the political committee of the National Advisory Committee for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) will be held in Colombo on November 1, followed by the first meetings of the Religious Committee on November 2 and Civil Society Committee on November 4, the Presidential Secretariat
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The first meeting of the political committee of the National Advisory Committee for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) will be held in Colombo on November 1, followed by the first meetings of the Religious Committee on November 2 and Civil Society Committee on November 4, the Presidential Secretariat said. Two representatives from each political party, represented in Parliament, have been invited to attend the political committee meeting. The three committees will deliberate on an ongoing basis on issues pertaining to the peace process, and advance understanding and reconciliation among different communities,
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November - 1 
The final solution to the ethnic question based on any form of power sharing should be through a Constitutional amendment and fall within the framework of a sovereign, undivided and united Sri Lanka, President Chandrika Kumaratunga emphasised on November 1. Addressing the maiden meeting of the polit
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The final solution to the ethnic question based on any form of power sharing should be through a Constitutional amendment and fall within the framework of a sovereign, undivided and united Sri Lanka, President Chandrika Kumaratunga emphasised on November 1. Addressing the maiden meeting of the political committee of the National Advisory Committee on Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) she observed that war is definitely not the option when finding a solution to the country's ethnic question
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November - 2 
Japanese Special envoy Yasushi Akashi stated that he was impressed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga's commitment to re-commence negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "My talks with President Kumaratunga on Friday gave me a strong impression that she was committed to make e
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Japanese Special envoy Yasushi Akashi stated that he was impressed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga's commitment to re-commence negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "My talks with President Kumaratunga on Friday gave me a strong impression that she was committed to make efforts towards resuming peace talks," Akashi said in Colombo on November 2. Ending a week-long program in Sri Lanka, Akashi pledged the international community's unwavering support for the peace initiative adding that the implementation of the National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation was another positive move towards peace. He added the US $ 4.5 billion funds pledged at the Tokyo donor conference in June 2003 has already started to flow in and with more progress in the peace front the donor countries may even consider further assistance.
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November - 3 
Anton Balasingham, chief negotiator of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a statement on November 3 said that, "the donor conferences held in Oslo on 25 November 2002 and in Tokyo on 10 June 2003 and the resolutions adopted at these meetings cannot bind our liberation organisation to a p
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Anton Balasingham, chief negotiator of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a statement on November 3 said that, "the donor conferences held in Oslo on 25 November 2002 and in Tokyo on 10 June 2003 and the resolutions adopted at these meetings cannot bind our liberation organisation to a particular framework of a final political settlement."
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November - 3 
Commenting on the statement issued by Professor GL Peiris on behalf of the United National Party (UNP) clarifying documents released after donor meetings at Oslo and Tokyo, Balasingham emphasised that donor governments could only support the peace process and encourage the protagonists to seek a neg
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Commenting on the statement issued by Professor GL Peiris on behalf of the United National Party (UNP) clarifying documents released after donor meetings at Oslo and Tokyo, Balasingham emphasised that donor governments could only support the peace process and encourage the protagonists to seek a negotiated political settlement but should not stipulate parameters for a political solution.
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November - 5 
Offering an "extremely flexible" approach towards the peace process, President Chandrika Kumaratunga on November 5 said recent developments give a "little bit more hope" that the LTTE may be persuaded for talks.Noting that barring some violations by the LTTE, the ceasefire agreement with it has held
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Offering an "extremely flexible" approach towards the peace process, President Chandrika Kumaratunga on November 5 said recent developments give a "little bit more hope" that the LTTE may be persuaded for talks.Noting that barring some violations by the LTTE, the ceasefire agreement with it has held for the last three years, the longest in 20 years of the ethnic conflict, Kumaratunga said the peace process "is moving forward". Responding to questions at the 'The Hindustan Times Leadership Initiative Conference' in New Delhi, she said "for the first time, LTTE has stated that it is willing to explore a Federal solution in place of a separate State (of Tamil Eelam) that they have been demanding. So, there is movement forward."
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November - 5 
On November 5, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen stated that he has no high expectations for the resumption of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "Based on signals received from the parties over recent weeks, I do not h
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On November 5, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen stated that he has no high expectations for the resumption of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "Based on signals received from the parties over recent weeks, I do not have high expectations, but in difficult situations it is even more important to keep engaging with the parties", he said.
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November - 10 
Reuters quoting President Chandrika Kumaratunga reports that Sri Lanka is exploring a host of new options to forge lasting peace with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) but a deal may still be some way off. Speaking as Norwegian peace envoys landed in a fresh bid to break a deadlock in peac
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Reuters quoting President Chandrika Kumaratunga reports that Sri Lanka is exploring a host of new options to forge lasting peace with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) but a deal may still be some way off. Speaking as Norwegian peace envoys landed in a fresh bid to break a deadlock in peace talks, Kumaratunga said she believed the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was still clinging to his dream of a breakaway state. "We are offering various options, which we can't talk about now," Kumaratunga told Reuters
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November - 10 
The New York-based Human Rights Watch in its latest report accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of continuing to enlist boys and girls below the age of 18 years since the Oslo-brokered truce went into effect in February 2002. "The ceasefire has brought an end to the fighting but not t
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The New York-based Human Rights Watch in its latest report accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of continuing to enlist boys and girls below the age of 18 years since the Oslo-brokered truce went into effect in February 2002. "The ceasefire has brought an end to the fighting but not to the Tamil Tigers' use of children as soldiers," said Jo Becker, children's rights advocacy director for Human Rights Watch and a co-author of the report. The LTTE used intimidation and threats to pressure Tamil families in the island's North and the East to provide sons and daughters for military service, the report said. When families refused, their children were sometimes abducted from their homes at night or forcibly recruited while walking to school. Parents who resisted recruitment faced violence or detention.
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November - 11 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga met the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen at the President's House on November 11 on his return from Kilinochchi, and assured the Government's total commitment to the peace process, the maintenance of the Ceasefire Agreement and the early re-commencement of talk
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President Chandrika Kumaratunga met the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen at the President's House on November 11 on his return from Kilinochchi, and assured the Government's total commitment to the peace process, the maintenance of the Ceasefire Agreement and the early re-commencement of talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) within an agreed framework. The Norwegian Foreign Minister briefed the President on his meeting with the LTTE leadership and explained the LTTE views on the steps to be adopted towards the resumption of direct negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government, the Presidential Secretariat said.
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November - 14 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘political wing’ leader, SP Tamilselvan, in the Virakesari Illustrated Weekly on November 14, when asked to comment on India's willingness to upgrade the Palaly military airport in Jaffna, and build a highway between Trincomalee and Anuradhapura to be ca
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘political wing’ leader, SP Tamilselvan, in the Virakesari Illustrated Weekly on November 14, when asked to comment on India's willingness to upgrade the Palaly military airport in Jaffna, and build a highway between Trincomalee and Anuradhapura to be called the 'Rajiv Gandhi Highway', stated that India should consult the outfit before undertaking strategically important infrastructure projects in the North Eastern Province (NEP) of Sri Lanka, since these impinge on the lives of the Tamil people. Tamilselvan said, "The Palaly airport is in the Tamil Homeland. India's plan to help upgrade it will upset the current peace process in Sri Lanka. The Palaly airport was built by taking over the Tamil peoples' lands. As for the Trincomalee-Anuradhapura highway, it is going to be built in an area, from which the Tamils were driven out to enable the Sinhala people to settle there. Tamil refugees from this area are still languishing in Mullaitivu district. It is our submission that before taking a decision on these matters India should consult the Tamil side also. It should talk to the LTTE."
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November - 15 
Daily News reports that the Defence Ministry on November 15 informed the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to inquire further into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) military build up around Trincomalee harbour since the Ministry cannot agree with the report submitted by them in this re
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Daily News reports that the Defence Ministry on November 15 informed the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to inquire further into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) military build up around Trincomalee harbour since the Ministry cannot agree with the report submitted by them in this regard. Defence Secretary Cyril Herath said that "we provided additional information to the SLMM to further inquire into the matter since we feel that the report submitted by the SLMM was lacking some information". He said the Defence Ministry has information from the intelligence reports and also from other sources about the existence LTTE camps in those areas. "We do not agree with the SLMM that there are no LTTE camps around the Trincomalee harbour," Herath added.
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November - 16 
On November 16, President Chandrika Kumaratunga called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to inform the Government whether it was prepared to resume peace talks within this month. President Kumaratunga expressed this view during an interview with ITN and said that at present all that is
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On November 16, President Chandrika Kumaratunga called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to inform the Government whether it was prepared to resume peace talks within this month. President Kumaratunga expressed this view during an interview with ITN and said that at present all that is necessary for the resumption of peace talks have been created. The two major parties think as one on the resumption of peace negotiations, she added, while completely denying the comments made by the LTTE that there is no agreement within the Government on this issue.
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November - 27 
The Government responding through a press release to the statement made by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘leader’ Vellupillai Prabhakaran on November 27, observed that a call couched in threatening language from the LTTE for a resumption of negotiations without conditions, while sett
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The Government responding through a press release to the statement made by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘leader’ Vellupillai Prabhakaran on November 27, observed that a call couched in threatening language from the LTTE for a resumption of negotiations without conditions, while setting conditions itself by insisting unilaterally on a single agenda item is scarcely conducive to good faith negotiations. The Government Information Department press release states: "The Government is engaged in a careful study of the statement of the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam made on November 27…. the absence of direct negotiations since April 2003 is of no benefit to anyone and is unsustainable."
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November - 27 
The 'Leader' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Velupillai Prabhaharan in a statement issued on the occasion of Heroes' Day on November 27, made an urgent appeal to the Government to resume peace negotiations based on the ISGA proposals. It warned the government it would be compelled to
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The 'Leader' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Velupillai Prabhaharan in a statement issued on the occasion of Heroes' Day on November 27, made an urgent appeal to the Government to resume peace negotiations based on the ISGA proposals. It warned the government it would be compelled to advance the freedom struggle of their people, if the government delays negotiations. Referring to the ISGA proposals he said: "If some elements of our proposals are deemed problematic or controversial, these issues can be resolved through discussions at the negotiating table. Once the interim administrative authority is institutionalised and becomes functional we are prepared to engage in negotiations for a permanent settlement to the ethnic problem". He added that "if the government rejects our urgent appeal, adopts delaying tactics perpetuating the suffering of our people, we have no alternative other than to advance the freedom struggle of our nation."
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December - 5 
At the 50th year annual convention of the opposition United National Party (UNP) held at the Colombo Municipal grounds on December 5, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that "the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government has not taken any forward looking steps towards peace talk
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At the 50th year annual convention of the opposition United National Party (UNP) held at the Colombo Municipal grounds on December 5, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that "the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government has not taken any forward looking steps towards peace talks or to finding a solution to our pressing national question. Sri Lanka is inexorably drifting towards war with the continued stalemate in peace talks." The Convention also resolved that Wickremesinghe will be the UNP's presidential candidate.
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December - 15 
S. P. Thamilselvan, chief of the ‘Political Wing’ of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reportedly told the Norwegian facilitators in Kilinochchi on December 15 that "the responsibility of resurrecting the stalled peace process is entirely with the government in ensuring that its coalition
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S. P. Thamilselvan, chief of the ‘Political Wing’ of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reportedly told the Norwegian facilitators in Kilinochchi on December 15 that "the responsibility of resurrecting the stalled peace process is entirely with the government in ensuring that its coalition partners reflect the thinking of the president, if she is in fact really sincere, and her military refrains from coercive and provocative actions." The Norwegian delegation was unable to give any assurance that the Sri Lanka Government will take constructive steps to take the peace process forward, Thamilchelvan claimed after the meeting.
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December - 20 
Norway special peace envoy, Erik Solheim, reportedly stated on December 20 that reviving the stalled peace talks is "difficult at the moment". He was speaking to BBC Sandeshaya from Heathrow airport after having a two-hour long meeting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) negotiator, Ant
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Norway special peace envoy, Erik Solheim, reportedly stated on December 20 that reviving the stalled peace talks is "difficult at the moment". He was speaking to BBC Sandeshaya from Heathrow airport after having a two-hour long meeting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) negotiator, Anton Balasingham, in London. However, Solheim added that "it is a relief that both parties are committed to uphold the ceasefire agreement."
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