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Sri Lanka: Incidents and Statements involving
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) : 2002
Jan
Feb
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Read more...
Date
Incidents
December - 2 
Another issue that would be discussed is the LTTE running its courts and police stations in the areas under its control. Reportedly, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has asked the government delegation to ‘empahasise’ with the LTTE that the ‘LTTE
Read more...
Another issue that would be discussed is the LTTE running its courts and police stations in the areas under its control. Reportedly, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has asked the government delegation to ‘empahasise’ with the LTTE that the ‘LTTE enforcing law’ parallel to the government’s law enforcing agencies ‘infringes’ upon ‘sovereignty’. Yet another issue that would be discussed is the framework for a final solution to the core issue of ‘power sharing’.
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December - 2 
Cabinet spokesperson G L Peiris is leading the government team at the talks, while LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham is leading the LTTE delegation, as was done in the past two rounds.
Read more...
Cabinet spokesperson G L Peiris is leading the government team at the talks, while LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham is leading the LTTE delegation, as was done in the past two rounds.
Read less...
December - 2 
Reports said the government, on December 2, has agreed to hold a two-day debate in Parliament on the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Reportedly, the debate is likely to be held in the third
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Reports said the government, on December 2, has agreed to hold a two-day debate in Parliament on the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Reportedly, the debate is likely to be held in the third week of January 2003. Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapakse made the request for the debate when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe made a special statement in the House on the November 25-Oslo donors’ meet. Reports added that a three-hour debate would be held on December 9 on the situation in the Northeast.
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December - 2 
The third round of peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are set to begin today, December 2, in Oslo, the capital of peace process facilitator Norway. Issues that would be discussed include political issue
Read more...
The third round of peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are set to begin today, December 2, in Oslo, the capital of peace process facilitator Norway. Issues that would be discussed include political issues that aim at arriving at a long-term solution to the ethnic conflict, rehabilitation and resettlement, implementation of the ongoing truce agreement and security issues such as high security zones, besides LTTE police stations and courts, reports said.
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December - 2 
The third round of peace talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government commenced in Oslo, the capital of peace process facilitator Norway, on December 2. The talks will conclude on December 5, with a joint press confere
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The third round of peace talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government commenced in Oslo, the capital of peace process facilitator Norway, on December 2. The talks will conclude on December 5, with a joint press conference to be addressed by the two sides. A notable absentee in the government delegation at this round of talks is Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauf Hakeem, who is beset with dissidence in his party.
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December - 3 
Speaking in Oslo, at a press conference during the course of the third round of government-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) peace talks, LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham said there was need to make a verbal statement renou
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Speaking in Oslo, at a press conference during the course of the third round of government-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) peace talks, LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham said there was need to make a verbal statement renouncing violence. At the November 25-Oslo donors meet, the United States has asked the LTTE to announce that it has given up violence. Balsingham said, "I did not renounce the request by the US government to give up violence. What I said is that we have already renounced violence when we signed a truce document with the Sri Lanka government… What I did not agree with Armitage is the characterisation of the LTTE's armed struggle as a form of terrorism… And we (LTTE) think there is no need to have recourse to violence since we are engaged in a positive process of a peace dialogue… Therefore we have satisfied the American request more than what they have been demanding. If they demand a verbal renunciation it is absurd because we are not the only party involved in violence. The Sinhala armed forces and the LTTE have been involved in an armed confrontation fore the last two decades and both parties have renounced violence in a proper manner…" Commenting on the LTTE administering justice through its courts and running a police force, Balasingham said these were operation since the past 12 years, and this was nothing new. He further said these were in place even at the time that the LTTE was engaged in peace talks with the Chandrika Kumaratunga government, and he, hence, did not understand why President Kumaratunga was now raising objections and entertaining apprehension. He justified these two administrative structures as necessary to maintain law and order in areas controlled by the LTTE. He went on to add that these could be legitimisied when a formal regional autonomous structure comes into place. The political content of the ongoing peace talks centres around having a regional autonomous government in the North and the East
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December - 4 
LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham said, on the same day, the discussions were aimed at working out a viable framework. Meanwhile, government chief negotiator and Cabinet Minister G L Peiris termed the commencement of the political
Read more...
LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham said, on the same day, the discussions were aimed at working out a viable framework. Meanwhile, government chief negotiator and Cabinet Minister G L Peiris termed the commencement of the political discussions as the "most significant––we have reached the point at which the political solution can be addressed". At the same time, he admitted that there was a ‘wide gulf’ between the positions of the two sides on power sharing, and added, "It is now our task to work out the mechanisms by which power can be shared. It will be a long haul," Peiris observed, and declared, "This is the crux of the matter." Both the sides, however, said the foundation for discussions on the political issue has already been laid, with the LTTE stating that it would accept a political solution within a united Sri Lanka. While Peiris said the announcement by LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran that the LTTE was seeking a solution within a united Sri Lanka, Balasingham noted that his leader's statement had "set the framework for the core issues to be dealt with." He added, "We are seeking regional autonomy within a united, integral Sri Lanka." Peiris reportedly exhibited the confidence that ‘power sharing is doable". The third round of the peace negotiations concludes today, December 5. The fourth round is likely to be held in January in Thailand, reports added.
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December - 4 
The Sri Lankan government and the delegation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on December 4, discussed the ‘framework’ for the political solution to the protracted ethnic conflict in the country, at Oslo, in Norway, at ongoing the thir
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government and the delegation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on December 4, discussed the ‘framework’ for the political solution to the protracted ethnic conflict in the country, at Oslo, in Norway, at ongoing the third round of peace talks.
Read less...
December - 5 
Government chief negotiator G.L. Peiris said Prabhakaran has enunciated in his Heroes Day speech that the LTTE was looking at the concept of internal self-determination involving extensive power sharing within the framework of one country. This has p
Read more...
Government chief negotiator G.L. Peiris said Prabhakaran has enunciated in his Heroes Day speech that the LTTE was looking at the concept of internal self-determination involving extensive power sharing within the framework of one country. This has provided the two sides with a coherent framework to evolve a negotiated political solution. He added, "The breakthrough yesterday was that the explicit identification of a federal structure which will be the basis on which a political solution will be evolved. Now we have a clear idea of the nature of the political solution the parties are working towards. It is not separatism, it is not confederation".
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December - 5 
Reports said the United States (US) and the United Kingdom, on December 5, commended the agreement reached between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), during the third round of peace talks in Oslo, to evolve a f
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Reports said the United States (US) and the United Kingdom, on December 5, commended the agreement reached between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), during the third round of peace talks in Oslo, to evolve a federal framework of governance, in the country. US State Department deputy spokesman Philip T. Reeker said, "The United States regards as extremely positive the announcement that the two sides have made progress in discussing political issues by agreeing to work to establish a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka." Reeker added that the US welcomes the progress made in the peace process and said, "… we hope that the outcome of negotiations will pay due regard to the security and well-being of all communities."
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December - 5 
The Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made a 'historic decision’ to find a political solution to the 19-year ethnic conflict, when they announced they would ‘explore’ a federal structure within a ‘united Sri Lanka’
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made a 'historic decision’ to find a political solution to the 19-year ethnic conflict, when they announced they would ‘explore’ a federal structure within a ‘united Sri Lanka’, on the principle of ‘internal self-determination’. . The decision was announced, in Oslo, the capital of peace process facilitator Norway, on December 5, at the conclusion of the third round of the ongoing peace talks. Addressing a joint-press conference at the end of the talks, LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said, "Sri Lanka needs a new constitution that would radically transform its polity."
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December - 8 
Pro-Tamil sources said, on December 8, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is expanding its main base, following its relocation to a place a mile away from a school in Thiriyai village, 42km north of Trincomalee. Local residents claimed the SLN occupied the s
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Pro-Tamil sources said, on December 8, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is expanding its main base, following its relocation to a place a mile away from a school in Thiriyai village, 42km north of Trincomalee. Local residents claimed the SLN occupied the school in May 2002, but subsequently relocated the camp, following representations from the people, and the camp at the new site is now being strengthened as a permanent base. The matter was brought to the notice of Member of Parliament (MP) representing Trincomalee district and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan, who together with other MPs and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Kumburupiddy division political head Sivakumar visited the area. Reportedly, several families have been displaced from the village, and now live in refugee camps, while male members travel to Thiriyai by bus daily to cultivate their fields and return the same day evening to camps.
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December - 9 
Cabinet spokesperson and government team leader in the negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) G L Peiris warned at a press conference, on December 9, in Colombo, that war could break out, once again, if a political solution bas
Read more...
Cabinet spokesperson and government team leader in the negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) G L Peiris warned at a press conference, on December 9, in Colombo, that war could break out, once again, if a political solution based on federal framework was not accepted. The LTTE and the government have already agreed to work towards a federal solution, but some powerful sections among the majority Sinhalese are opposing this. Peiris said, "Instead of amending the clauses of the present constitution, the government has decided to table a new constitution that will embody the new political framework." He went on to add, "Federal system is not something new in Sri Lanka", and recollected the various agreements and draft proposals that were made from time to time in the country. Peoiris added that the fourth round of peace talks, due between January 6 and 9, 2003, in Thailand wold pay ‘special attention’ to human rights issues
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December - 9 
Reports from Sri Lanka said representatives of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front––Varadaraja Perumal faction (EPRLF-V), and the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), on Decemb
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Reports from Sri Lanka said representatives of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front––Varadaraja Perumal faction (EPRLF-V), and the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), on December 9, met with officers of the Sri Lankan Army’s 23-3 Brigade in Batticaloa to discuss their ‘security’. Reportedly, the meeting follows an allegation leveled by the EPDP that three of its cadres have gone missing since a week from the Kallady beach in Batticaloa, and that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could have abducted them. LTTE has, however, reportedly denied any involvement in the abductions. Representatives at the meeting asked the Army to help trace the missing cadres, and to provide security at their offices to enable them to undertake political activity.
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December - 9 
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando assured visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, on December 9, that the country’s relations with India would not be affected irrespective of any agreement or settlement made with the Liberation Tig
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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando assured visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, on December 9, that the country’s relations with India would not be affected irrespective of any agreement or settlement made with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the state-run Daily News said. He further said Sri Lanka would not work against the interests of its neighbours, especially India. He also reminded Sibal that he and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe briefed Indian leaders, both in the government and the Opposition, just before the ongoing peace talks commenced, with a view to seeking the ‘blessings’ of India.
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December - 12 
Delayed reports said an explosion was set-off at the office of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) building in Batticaloa, on December 12, causing minor damage, but no one was either injured or killed. Reportedly, groups opposed to the Libera
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Delayed reports said an explosion was set-off at the office of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) building in Batticaloa, on December 12, causing minor damage, but no one was either injured or killed. Reportedly, groups opposed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) operating in Batticaloa, have been accused of triggering the blast. Police and members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) are conducting investigations into the incident The TRO has been catering to poorer sections of Tamils and has been in operation since the past two decades, chiefly in the Wanni, and has recently opened offices in other areas, including in Colombo, reports added
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December - 12 
Media reports from Sri Lanka said four Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, two of them women, were arrested by police at Uthayapuram checkpoint, Ampara district, on December 12. They were held for ignoring instructions by police to halt a
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Media reports from Sri Lanka said four Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, two of them women, were arrested by police at Uthayapuram checkpoint, Ampara district, on December 12. They were held for ignoring instructions by police to halt at the checkpoint. All held are said to be cadres of the LTTE’s political-wing, and an investigation is on, when reports last came in.
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December - 13 
Media reports said President Chandrika Kumaratunga-led Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe’s United National Party-led government to clarify several concepts and words being used in the statements issued durin
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Media reports said President Chandrika Kumaratunga-led Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe’s United National Party-led government to clarify several concepts and words being used in the statements issued during the third round of peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Oslo. The SLFP, in a press release, on December 13, asked the government to clarify terms such as "political status", "self-determination" "complete self-rule".
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December - 13 
The SLFP also pointed that, while the Prime Minister said there was no concept as a homeland in Sri Lanka, LTTE leader Prabhakaran during his Heroes Day speech made emphatic references to "homeland". And ideologue Anton Balasingham spoke repeatedly o
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The SLFP also pointed that, while the Prime Minister said there was no concept as a homeland in Sri Lanka, LTTE leader Prabhakaran during his Heroes Day speech made emphatic references to "homeland". And ideologue Anton Balasingham spoke repeatedly of "self-determination in areas of historical habitation of the Tamil speaking peoples." The SLFP wanted to know if there was any difference between "areas of historical habitation" and " homeland". The SLFP declared, "…if the objectives of the LTTE have not changed from Thimpu to Thailand-and it is well known that these objectives were a separate "Tamil Eelam"-what has changed Oslo?" and asked, "…is it the means of gaining those objectives?" that have changed. The SLFP said people in the country are confused at the use of these terms and asked the government if it was aware of the direction in which the peace process was headed? The SLFP opined that, in the ultimate analysis, "when we reach the destination what will we find [is a] so-called federal state with a standing Army, a standing Navy, a permanent administration, an independent judicial system, a tax structure a banking system"… It averred that this meant the formation of a "separate state by a friendlier name"
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December - 14 
Addressing the 48th annual general meeting of the Ruling United National Party (UNP), in Colombo, on December 14, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said Sri Lanka has entered a critical stage in its history and asked the people to ‘choose between p
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Addressing the 48th annual general meeting of the Ruling United National Party (UNP), in Colombo, on December 14, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said Sri Lanka has entered a critical stage in its history and asked the people to ‘choose between prosperity and war’. He said, "Decades of war has drained our resources and debt repayment has placed significant burden on the government", but assured that development projects are on the anvil. He said development and economic prosperity could not take place ‘in a climate of war’. Admitting that there were deficiencies in implementing the ‘memorandum of understanding on the permanent cessation of hostilities, with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), he said this ‘should not be allowed to derail the peace process’.
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December - 15 
Accordingly, Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka will present the first plan for the resettlement of IDPs in a limited area previously populated in the Jaffna peninsula before December 21. This plan will thereafter be discussed and
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Accordingly, Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka will present the first plan for the resettlement of IDPs in a limited area previously populated in the Jaffna peninsula before December 21. This plan will thereafter be discussed and agreed upon at a meeting between Major General Fonseka and Colonel Theepan, the LTTE commander of the North with the assistance of Major General Trond Furuhovde, Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, as a consultant. The LTTE will also come up with similar proposals on procedures on how to deal with the return of land and property to the rightful owners within 14 days. These proposals will be presented to the Government and a decision regarding this matter will be made at the next meeting on SDN to be held in Omanthai on January 20, 2003.
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December - 15 
Defence Secretary Austin Fernando headed the Government delegation while Colonel Karuna Special Commander of the LTTE in Batticaloa and Ampara headed the LTTE delegation. The Government delegation also comprised, Major General Shantha Kottegoda,
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Defence Secretary Austin Fernando headed the Government delegation while Colonel Karuna Special Commander of the LTTE in Batticaloa and Ampara headed the LTTE delegation. The Government delegation also comprised, Major General Shantha Kottegoda, Jaffna Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka, Brigadier S.R. Balasuriya, Group Captain Kolitha Gunathilaka, M.A. Majeed, SSP Nimal Lewke and Rtd Major General Devinda Kalupahana.
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December - 15 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, on December 15, assured Muslims, at a gathering in Madwela, Kandy, that his government would do ‘everything in its power’ to safeguard their rights, while finding a negotiated solution the protracted ethnic confli
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, on December 15, assured Muslims, at a gathering in Madwela, Kandy, that his government would do ‘everything in its power’ to safeguard their rights, while finding a negotiated solution the protracted ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. He said his government would ‘never let down Muslims at any stage’ of the ongoing peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem said, at the same venue, that he would strengthen the party to emerge as the ‘only credible organization to represent Muslims’ in this country.
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December - 15 
Reports said the secretariat of the Sub-Committee for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Northeast was inaugurated in Kilinochchi, on December 15. The Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka unveiled the name board while Norway’s Ambassador John Westb
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Reports said the secretariat of the Sub-Committee for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Northeast was inaugurated in Kilinochchi, on December 15. The Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka unveiled the name board while Norway’s Ambassador John Westborg cut the ribbon and declared the office open. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political-wing chief S P Tamilselvan, too, participated in the inauguration, while LTTE peace secretariat head Pulithevan presided over the proceedings. Senior bureaucrat Iranius Selvin has been appointed director of the secretariat, while S L. M Faleel and D D Amaratunga would be the deputy directors.
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December - 15 
The Government and the LTTE on Saturday agreed to have an integrated plan of action on resettling the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the High Security Zones in the North. Jaffna Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka will present the first
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The Government and the LTTE on Saturday agreed to have an integrated plan of action on resettling the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the High Security Zones in the North. Jaffna Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka will present the first such proposal for the resettlement of IDPs in a limited area in the high security zones in the Jaffna peninsula before December 21, for the consideration of the two parties. The two parties agreed on this following the second meeting of the Sub Committee on De-escalation and Normalisation(SDN) held on Saturday in Muhamalai.
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December - 15 
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which is a constituent of the main opposition Peoples Alliance, said Saturday that LSSP welcomes the Norwegian peace initiative to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Mr. Batty Weerakoon, leader of
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The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which is a constituent of the main opposition Peoples Alliance, said Saturday that LSSP welcomes the Norwegian peace initiative to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Mr. Batty Weerakoon, leader of the LSSP distanced LSSP from the announcement made by Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar, an advisor to President Kumaratunge, that the Peoples Alliance (PA) will not support any peace solution until the LTTE laid down their arms. Mr. Batty Weerakoon said that Mr.Kadirgamar's statement is not the voice of People's Alliance.
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December - 15 
He conceded that there were certain setbacks in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between his government and the LTTE but added that these setbacks should not be allowed to derail the peace process. No development or economic prosperit
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He conceded that there were certain setbacks in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between his government and the LTTE but added that these setbacks should not be allowed to derail the peace process. No development or economic prosperity is possible in a climate of war, the Prime Minister said, and requested the cooperation of people of Sri Lanka in helping him to make progress in the peace talks. Several resolutions were adopted at the UNP convention including one which empowered the Prime Minister to find a permanent political solution to the national crisis acceptable to all communities.
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December - 16 
Earlier, in April 2002, Maldives had permitted LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham to transit through Maldives while he was on his way to the Wanni from London. Reportedly, responding to Gayoom’s offer, an unnamed LTTE leader said
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Earlier, in April 2002, Maldives had permitted LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham to transit through Maldives while he was on his way to the Wanni from London. Reportedly, responding to Gayoom’s offer, an unnamed LTTE leader said, "President Gayoom’s invitation to hold the talks in the Maldives is a very positive development that bodes well for peace".
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December - 16 
Maldives, on December 16, expressed keenness to host the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reportedly made the offer during the ongoing official visit to Maldiv
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Maldives, on December 16, expressed keenness to host the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reportedly made the offer during the ongoing official visit to Maldives of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.
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December - 16 
District-level committees have been formed to identify and inform the secretariat of the needs of each of the districts. LTTE spokesperson Daya Master, on December 16, told the state-run Daily News, "The role of the district committees is to conduct
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District-level committees have been formed to identify and inform the secretariat of the needs of each of the districts. LTTE spokesperson Daya Master, on December 16, told the state-run Daily News, "The role of the district committees is to conduct consultations in each district with broad participation of the people on the immediate humanitarian needs."
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December - 18 
Following a meeting with government chief negotiator and Cabinet Minister G L Peiris, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the rights of both the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must be completely upheld in any peace d
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Following a meeting with government chief negotiator and Cabinet Minister G L Peiris, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the rights of both the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must be completely upheld in any peace deal, the state-run Daily News said on December 19. Expressing satisfaction at the human rights issue being addressed in the peace talks between the government and the LTTE, Straw said, "I look forward to further progress at the next round of talks. And added that his country has already promised over 15 million pounds for relief and rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka during 2003 and 2004.
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December - 18 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on December 18, asked the people and the clergy to extend support in furthering the ongoing peace process with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Addressing the International Islamic Conference on 'Justi
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on December 18, asked the people and the clergy to extend support in furthering the ongoing peace process with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Addressing the International Islamic Conference on 'Justice and World Peace', in Colombo, he said, "We are now engaged in peace talks with the LTTE. We have sat down at the same table and opened our hearts out for the first time.'' He said the two sides were identifying issues and would have to find solutions to the needs of the people affected by the ethnic conflict.
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December - 18 
The state-run Daily News quoting the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said on December 18 that complaints of cease-fire violations have been on the decline and were the least in November 2002, since the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
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The state-run Daily News quoting the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said on December 18 that complaints of cease-fire violations have been on the decline and were the least in November 2002, since the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signed a truce agreement in late-February 2002. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Spokesman Teitur Torkelsson said, "It seems both parties are gradually adjusting to the situation". He disclosed that, initially complaints against one another (government and the LTTE) were high, but now complaints made by the general public against either of the parties are more than against one another. "This is a new trend," he said, and added that complaints against the LTTE related to abduction, harassment and extortion, while those against the security forces were of harassment and restriction of movement.
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December - 20 
Ezhilan said, "Even though the children do not want to go back to their parents, the LTTE’s position is that the children should go back and continue their education," and added that so far about 30 children have been returned to their parents in fou
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Ezhilan said, "Even though the children do not want to go back to their parents, the LTTE’s position is that the children should go back and continue their education," and added that so far about 30 children have been returned to their parents in four phases.
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December - 20 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Vavuniya political-wing leader Ezhilan restored six children, including two girls, under 18 years of age, who wanted to join the LTTE, to their parents, reports said on December 20.
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Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Vavuniya political-wing leader Ezhilan restored six children, including two girls, under 18 years of age, who wanted to join the LTTE, to their parents, reports said on December 20.
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December - 20 
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) representative Jukka Polonen said on the occasion that the SLMM received several complaints of children joining the LTTE without their parents’ knowledge and said the LTTE’s attention was drawn to the matter. He al
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Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) representative Jukka Polonen said on the occasion that the SLMM received several complaints of children joining the LTTE without their parents’ knowledge and said the LTTE’s attention was drawn to the matter. He also said the SLMM was continuing discussions with the LTTE on identifying children who join its cadres without their parents’ knowledge.
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December - 21 
The dead body of Porathivu regional council member Poopalapillai Alaguthurai, representing the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) was recovered from Mandoor lake, near Batticaloa-Amparai border, on December 21. He had disappeared o
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The dead body of Porathivu regional council member Poopalapillai Alaguthurai, representing the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) was recovered from Mandoor lake, near Batticaloa-Amparai border, on December 21. He had disappeared on December 16, and the EPRLF accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of abducting him, but the latter denied the same. Reports added that the body had multiple stab wounds on the head and that the hands were tied to the roots of a tree under water in the lake.
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December - 22 
The media report also said Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka, on December 22, sent a proposal on resettling IDPs in HSZs in Jaffna to SLMM chief Trond Furuhovde. In his proposal, Fonseka reportedly said that all LTTE cadres should be
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The media report also said Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka, on December 22, sent a proposal on resettling IDPs in HSZs in Jaffna to SLMM chief Trond Furuhovde. In his proposal, Fonseka reportedly said that all LTTE cadres should be disarmed in the HSZs before allowing IDPs to resettle there. Further, he is reportedly to have suggested that the LTTE should not undertake any activities in the areas of the HSZs. The SLMM is due to hand over the proposals to the LTTE in Killinochchi, today, December 23. A final decision would be arrived after the Army and the LTTE discuss the matter together, reports added.
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December - 22 
The state-run Daily News said on December 23, quoting unnamed defence sources, that the Sri Lanka Army wants enhancing the powers of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). The move is meant to check all weapons and military establishments and to mo
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The state-run Daily News said on December 23, quoting unnamed defence sources, that the Sri Lanka Army wants enhancing the powers of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). The move is meant to check all weapons and military establishments and to monitor the activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before internally displaced persons (IDPs) are allowed resettle in high security zones (HSZs).
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December - 23 
Cabinet Minister and government negotiating team leader in the peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) G L Peiris said on December 23 that the government would soon release a report giving details of broadca
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Cabinet Minister and government negotiating team leader in the peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) G L Peiris said on December 23 that the government would soon release a report giving details of broadcasting equipment given to the LTTE. He said this would put at rest rumors being spread by elements opposed to the peace process that the security of the country was at stake. "We will never act against the interests of our motherland. We are saddened by the false propaganda spread by these forces," he said. He also said that, ahead of the fourth round of talks in early January 2003, matters agreed to by the sub-committee on de-escalation and normalizaton (SDN) on security issues will be discussed. Reports also said political issues––devolution of power––as well as humanitarian issues––human rights and child combatants––would be discussed at the fourth round of peace talks.
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December - 23 
The Sinhala nationalist Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya (JSS), or the National Bhikkhu Front, held a demonstration on December 23 opposite the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo and demanded the expulsion of Ambassador Jon Westborg, reports said on December 24.
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The Sinhala nationalist Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya (JSS), or the National Bhikkhu Front, held a demonstration on December 23 opposite the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo and demanded the expulsion of Ambassador Jon Westborg, reports said on December 24. They claimed Norway––the facilitator in the peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was being partial to the latter. The monks burnt the Norwegian flag during the demonstration and then marched went to the Presidential Secretariat and handed over a memorandum addressed to President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
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December - 24 
A member of the paramilitary Varathan group of the Special Task Force, a paramilitary force of the government was shot by unidentified armed-persons in Aaraiyampathy, Batticaloa district, on December 24, reports said from Sri Lanka, and added he was
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A member of the paramilitary Varathan group of the Special Task Force, a paramilitary force of the government was shot by unidentified armed-persons in Aaraiyampathy, Batticaloa district, on December 24, reports said from Sri Lanka, and added he was in a critical condition. He was earlier expelled from the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO). The TELO Kathankudy police is investigating into the matter. Reports said there have been instances in recent times of paramilitary members being abducted or have gone missing. These were attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but it has denied its involvement in the same.
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December - 25 
Sri Lanka Freedom Party general secretary Maithripala Sirisena said his party vehemently opposes the federal system envisaged for the North-East and as agreed between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the state-run Daily
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Sri Lanka Freedom Party general secretary Maithripala Sirisena said his party vehemently opposes the federal system envisaged for the North-East and as agreed between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the state-run Daily News said on December 25, while speaking at a party gathering in Pollanaruwa. He said, "Sri Lanka is a unitary country. We will never allow the federal system in this country. Under the guise of peace, federalism is just an attempt to divide the country and allow the North-East to separate. Arguing that LTTE-run army, police, banks and judiciary are operating in the Northeast, he said federalism would only facilitate separation of the country and held that the government was helping the LTTE to create a separate country. Sirisena went on to say, "In the past, the president [Chandrika Kumaratunga] had many executive powers. But currently many of them are powers in name only. In the future, the president may have to use her authority, otherwise the division of the country will become a dangerous reality."
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December - 26 
Following the SLMM statement of December 26, the LTTE said the formers justification of the Army's HSZs on grounds of security was "unacceptable’. The LTTE contends that the HSZs are located in public property and the Army is occupying them illegally
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Following the SLMM statement of December 26, the LTTE said the formers justification of the Army's HSZs on grounds of security was "unacceptable’. The LTTE contends that the HSZs are located in public property and the Army is occupying them illegally. LTTE ideologue and chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said, "This purely militaristic argument to support your (SLMM) thesis on balance of forces, has completely ignored and trivialised the grave humanitarian issue of the displaced population." He went on to add that Army’s precondition on disarming and decommissioning "severely undermined our (LTTE’s) confidence in the peace process and aggravated public frustrations."
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December - 26 
Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka suggested that the LTTE should be disarmed and its weapons decommissioned if IDPs were to be resettled in HSZs. The LTTE rejected the proposal on December 26, and said the Army was setting preconditi
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Jaffna Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka suggested that the LTTE should be disarmed and its weapons decommissioned if IDPs were to be resettled in HSZs. The LTTE rejected the proposal on December 26, and said the Army was setting preconditions, and added that this made the Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalistaion (SCDN) irrelevant. It was on the same day that the SLMM said there has to be a ‘balance of power for the cease-fire agreement to continue.’
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December - 26 
Media reports from Sri Lanka said the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) issued a statement on December 26 stating that ‘disturbing the balance of forces’ is detrimental to the ongoing cease-fire between the government and the Liberation Tigers of T
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Media reports from Sri Lanka said the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) issued a statement on December 26 stating that ‘disturbing the balance of forces’ is detrimental to the ongoing cease-fire between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The SLMM said the LTTE asking for dismantling high security zones to let people resettle as well as commence cultivating the lands in such areas would reduce the combat potential of government Forces and thus alter the balance for forces. "In order to build peace the forces on both sides must be kept stable. In Jaffna, simply dismantling High Security Zones for resettlement and handing over land for cultivation will decrease both security and combat potential of the Government Forces. The balance of forces is the basis of the Cease-fire agreement and disturbing that balance is disturbing the Cease-fire," the SLMM said. The SLMM clarified that ‘de-escalation’ meant a reduction in the ‘intensity’ of the conflict, and ‘normalisation’ meant return to friendly relationship without violence, and added that achieving one of the two should not undermine the other.
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December - 26 
The SLMM statement came on the same day, December 26, as the LTTE said that government forces commander in Jaffna Major General Sarath Foneska placing a precondition––disarming the LTTE and decommissioning its weapons––to allow people to resettle in
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The SLMM statement came on the same day, December 26, as the LTTE said that government forces commander in Jaffna Major General Sarath Foneska placing a precondition––disarming the LTTE and decommissioning its weapons––to allow people to resettle in high security zones was unacceptable. Rejecting the proposal, the LTTE said, "To raise the issue at this stage of the peace process and stipulate it as a condition for the humanitarian task of resettlement has a diabolical motive of disrupting the current peace effort". The LTTE went on to say that, by not implementing the agreements already reached and by placing pre-conditions, government troops "considerably weakens … [the] confidence" built between the government and the LTTE. The LTTE added, "In particular, the Sub-Committee on De-Escalation and Normalisation is rendered irrelevant by the SLA's new conditions for de-escalation."
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December - 27 
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesperson Teitur Torkelsson expressed the hope on December 27 that the issue of resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) in High Security Zones (HSZ) would be settled amicably between the Army and the Libe
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Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesperson Teitur Torkelsson expressed the hope on December 27 that the issue of resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) in High Security Zones (HSZ) would be settled amicably between the Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He said the SLMM would convene a meeting in this regard in the first of January 2003 he said. He reiterated the SLMM’s stand, conveyed on December 26 in a statement, "…that the two parties should maintain the balance of power to continue with the cease-fire agreement," and added that the ‘SLMM was not recommending dismantling all HSZs nor the disarmament of the LTTE at this stage’.
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December - 29 
Resettlement of internally displaced persons and normalisation of conditions in the areas they inhabit will form the main agenda at the fourth round of peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), said Anton Bala
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Resettlement of internally displaced persons and normalisation of conditions in the areas they inhabit will form the main agenda at the fourth round of peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), said Anton Balasingham, chief negotiator and ideologue of the LTTE, on December 29. The talks would be held between January 3 and 6, 2003, in Thailand. He reiterated what he said earlier and noted that the Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalisation (SDN) has been rendered defunct because the Army failed to vacate public places in its occupation, contrary to the cease-fire agreement. Therefore, this has turned into a hurdle in the functioning of the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN), he added. Stating that resettlement and rehabilitation are the "urgent and cardinal" issues of the Tamil people, he declared that, unless this was made possible, the peace process cannot progress.
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December - 30 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga met with a group of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leaders and held a discussion, on December 30, on the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), disagreements over w
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President Chandrika Kumaratunga met with a group of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leaders and held a discussion, on December 30, on the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), disagreements over withdrawal of forces from High Security Zones and general security matters. Reportedly, JVP propaganda secretary Weerawansa accused the Norwegian Embassy of as supporting the LTTE and asked Kumaratunga to safeguard the country.
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December - 30 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe sent a reply to President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s December 30-letter on the government permitting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to import transmission equipment with the help of peace process facilita
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe sent a reply to President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s December 30-letter on the government permitting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to import transmission equipment with the help of peace process facilitator Norway, and to run a licensed radio station.
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December - 31 
Former Member of Parliament and Policy Planning and Implementation special advisor Ali Zahir Moulana asked the government and the LTTE to find an amicable solution on a mutual give and take approach.
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Former Member of Parliament and Policy Planning and Implementation special advisor Ali Zahir Moulana asked the government and the LTTE to find an amicable solution on a mutual give and take approach.
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December - 31 
Minister Milinda Morogoda, on December 31, lead a government team consisting of top-officials to Jaffna for discussing the issue of resettling displaced families in High Security Zones, report said. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers
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Minister Milinda Morogoda, on December 31, lead a government team consisting of top-officials to Jaffna for discussing the issue of resettling displaced families in High Security Zones, report said. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have expressed opposing views on the same. The government delegation included Defense Secretary Austin Fernando, SLA chief Lionel Balagalle, Air Force chief Major General Shantha Kottegoda and Jaffna Area Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka. They visited various sites in the HSZs in Jaffna peninsula and later held discussions at the Palaly Headquarters.
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