Army, Police, LTTE meet in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 December 2004, 14:55 GMT]
Representatives of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Police and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Trincomalee district Thursday agreed at a discussion held in the presence of monitors of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to take steps to diffuse tension in the east port town and its suburbs to restore normalcy. The discussion was held at the SLMM office in Trincomalee at the initiative of the SLMM, sources said.

LTTE delegation ( L-R) Mr.Elilan, Mr.Vasanthan, Mr.Gunam and Mr.Sivakumar

( L-R ) Mr.Jan ledang, SLMM monitor, Mr.Dagfinn, SLMM Trincomalee head, Mr.Upali Hewage, SSP, Trinco and Major General Kulathunga, General Officer Commanding, Trinco 22 Brigade

Mr.Elilan speaking to the press

LTTE delegation led by Trincomalee district political head Mr.S.Elilan comprised Trincomalee District Deputy Military Commander Mr.Vasanthan, Trincomalee town political head Mr.Sivakumar and LTTE Trincomalee town military commander Mr.Gunam.

Major General S.Kulathunge, General Officer Commanding, 22 Brigade in Trincomalee district represented Sri Lanka Army and Senior Superintendent of Police, Trincomalee Mr.Upali Hewage the Sri Lanka Police.

Discussion which commenced around 12 noon concluded at about two p.m.

It was agreed at the discussion that the LTTE should meet civil leaders in Tamil areas in the town to restore normalcy and members of the security forces would take such steps in Sinhala areas, SLMM sources said

Later Mr. Elilan told journalists said parties agreed to diffuse tension and restore normalcy in the Trincomalee town and its suburbs, which witnessed several violent incidents since Friday. He said he had requested the SLMM to inform the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) not to indulge in activities in Trincomalee district that could harm existing peace in the east port town in the future.

He further said he had informed the authorities of the SLA, Police and the SLMM that the JVP and a section of security forces were responsible for the outbreak of violence in the town.

He added it was agreed at the discussion by the authorities concerned to withdraw army motorbike groups and armoured vehicles from patrolling the town. Police would be empowered to maintain law and order in the town.

SLMM Trincomalee district head Mr.Dagfinn Aadnesis said the talks between the security forces and LTTE were constructive and useful. He said a joint statement on the outcome of the talks would be sent to the SLMM headquarters.