TNA delegation meets Akashi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 October 2004, 09:25 GMT]
The release of 4.5 billion dollars aid pledged at the Tokyo conference to Sri Lanka should not take place until the stalled peace talk with the Liberation Tigers resumes on the basis of Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals, delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians told Japanese special peace envoy Mr.Yasushi Akashi during a discussion in Colombo Thursday, TNA sources said.

The TNA delegation led by its parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan included Messrs Joseph Pararajasingham, Mavai Senathirajah, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, S.Gajendran and Ms Pathmini Sithamparanathan.

The discussion commenced at about 10 a.m. at the Japanese embassy lasted for about two hours, TNA sources said.

The TNA delegation briefed Mr.Akashi the current political situation in the south.

"Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a constituent of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), has been opposing the resumption of peace talks with the LTTE on the basis of ISGA proposals to find a permanent political resolution on federal concept. President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge is trying to delay the resumption of peace talks citing attempts to reach consensus with civil, religious and political groups through the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR). In this background releasing the pledged aid at Tokyo conference to the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) would cause negative impact on the Norwegian brokered peace process," TNA delegation told Mr Akashi.

Mr.Akashi is reported to have assured TNA delegation that he would take possible steps to convince the parties concerned to resume peace talks and to find a permanent political resolution to the conflict, TNA sources said.

Mr. Akashi also met Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakshe, and the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauff Hakeem, Thursday.

Mr. Akashi is also scheduled to meet LTTE leadership in Kilinochchi and Sri Lanka's President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, during his stay in Sri Lanka.