"Sri Lanka Military rejects LTTE�s call for permanent ceasefire

S. Pathmanathan, Head of LTTE's International Diplomatic RelationsLTTE�s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire has been rejected by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). GoSL on 15th April, 2009 restarted its offensive on the self declared �safety zone� after rejecting LTTE�s call for a ceasefire. LTTE fighters have engaged the Sri Lankan armed forces in the corridors of the �safety zone� and put forward stiff resistance against the Sri Lankan armed forces attempting to break the forward defense line. Sri Lankan forces have fired several thousand rounds of shells and are aerially bombarding the �safety zone� killing hundreds of civilians and injuring many more.

Mr Selvarasa Pathmanathan, head of LTTE�s international relations department has called on the International Community to take on its moral responsibility of civilized world to stop such carnage by bringing about an immediate and permanent ceasefire. International community, especially the Tokyo co-chairs USA, EU, Japan and Norway, together with India, have the power and coercive capacity to bring about an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

�Although the International Community is fully aware of the precarious conditions prevailing in the �safety zone�, we are troubled that no effective measures are being taken to bring about a ceasefire and to end the human catastrophe� said Mr Pathmanathan. The lethargic response of the International Community hints towards encouraging a military solution to end the conflict in Sri Lanka and does not lend any support for searching a political solution, he stated. �Resolving the conflict through war will not bring stability in Sri Lanka or in the region�, he added. Mr Pathmananthan insisted only a just political solution for the Tamil national question could pave the way for peace and stability in Sri Lanka.

The head of LTTE�s international relations department reiterated that the assumption built on that the LTTE would use a ceasefire to rebuild, regroup and continue to wage an armed campaign was a fallacy. He said, �LTTE�s armed struggle is the historical product of injustice against the Tamil Nation in the island, and if the International Community could achieve a just political solution to the conflict, the need for an armed struggle would cease to exist�.

The LTTE has again called on the International Community to act urgently at this crucial juncture to bring about an immediate and permanent ceasefire which would create a conducive environment for humanitarian relief operations and to commence a process that would lead to a just political solution.

�We assure the International Community that the LTTE is ready to participate in political negotiations and fight to meet the political aspirations of the Tamil nation at the negotiating table through political means if an immediate and permanent ceasefire is ensured and the human sufferings of the Tamil people are addressed� Mr Pathmanathan has stated.

Department of International Relations
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam "