P-TOMS Court action, a true tragedy - Prof Plate

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 July 2005, 15:52 GMT]
Expressing his view that that the stay order by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court suspending four key provisions of the Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) "a true tragedy," Prof Tom Plate of University of California, Los Angeles, told TamilNet that he is optimistic that aid dollars will still go to NorthEast.

On the trading of accusations by the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka on number of CeaseFire Agreement (CFA) violations, Prof Plate said: "The Two sides need to work these issues out in a way that speeds the national interest of Sri Lankans."

"The outside world is watching and sometimes doesn't know whether to cry or to laugh. A house divided Against itself cannot stand. Chaos is the only alternative to adult-level negotiations. There are plenty of outsiders who care about Sri Lanka and would be happy to offer their good, mediative services. It is time for Sri Lanka's President, the Prime Minister, the LTTE and everyone else to notch it up and return Sri Lanka to the land of beautiful Ceylon."

On the controversy related to LTTE's demand for security for their cadre's travel in the east, Prof Plate agreed that the GoSL should ensure security to the LTTE and should not limit the number of times the LTTE can request the GoSL for travel escort.