Curb activities of paramilitaries, SLMM urges SL Government

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 July 2004, 12:01 GMT]
''The SLMM has strongly urged the government to take meaningful and effective action to curb the activities of paramilitary groups including that of Karuna faction and the EPDP'', Major General (retd) Trond Furuhovde, Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission told LTTE Head of Political Wing, S.P.Thamilchelvan, when both met in Kilinochchi Thursday morning, LTTE peace secretariat website said.

Deputy Director of Peace Secretariat, Mr.Bavananthan and Head of the Tamil Eelam Police, Mr.P.Nadesan, also participated in the discussions.

Mr.Furuhovde briefed Thamilchelvan on the outcome of his discussions with Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary and Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Director General of the Government Peace Secretariat, the report said.

''Mr. Thamilchelvan raised the issue of law and order in Batticaloa and the disturbing trend consequent to the activities of the various paramilitary groups. The Political Chief expressed great concern over the risk faced by unarmed LTTE members in the GoSL areas. The Head of the SLMM said that he is aware of the situation and conscious of the violations in the context of article 1.8 of the CFA which clearly prohibits the presence of armed groups. Continuing further he said that he has already urged the Government to take effective measures to arrest the deteriorating situation and will continue to do so in future as well,'' the website further said.