PNM wants CFA annulled

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 December 2004, 16:54 GMT]
The Patriotic National Movement (PNM), a sinhala nationalist organization, decided at its 19th annual convention of its branches, to annul the ceasefire agreement (CFA) and to remove Norway from its facilitation role in the peace talks, political sources in Colombo said. PNM further decided that peace talks should not resume on the basis of the Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals of the LTTE. The convention was held Tuesday evening at the Colombo Town hall.

Venerable Elle Gunawanse Thera chaired the meeting attended by about one hundred persons, sources said.

Mr.Wimal Weeravanse, parliamentary group leader of the marxist, Sinhala nationalist, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a major constituent of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, Mr.Tilwin Silva, JVP general secretary, Mr.Arjuna Ranatunge, deputy minister and several leading members of Buddhist clergy participated in the meeting, sources said.

Ven.Elle Gunawanse Thera in his inaugural speech said the Government of Sri Lanka should not hold further talks with the LTTE and that Mr.Hans Brattskar, Norwegian ambassador in Sri Lanka should be sent home. The monk added that Special peace envoy Mr.Erik Solheim and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr.Vidar Helgessen should not be allowed to enter the country in future.

All speakers at the meeting spoke against the resumption of peace talks between the GOSL and LTTE.

The PNM announced its plan to hold continuous protest campaign against the resumption of peace talks on the basis of ISGA proposals submitted by the LTTE, sources said.