• Peace Process

The government has proposed the imposition of 12 conditions on the LTTE political activists entering Jaffna islets for political work, a government source said.

The Peace Secretariat functioning from the Prime Minister’s office in Colombo has informed the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission in this regard. 

Peace Ambassador Bernard Gunathilleke in a letter to Deputy Head of the Mission has specified these conditions.

Peace Ambassador requested SLMM to inform these details to the LTTE and to obtain
their consent.

Minister Milinda Moragoda during a visit to Jaffna islets with the Navy Commander  on May 16 gave instructions to allow LTTE cadres to the islets for political work.

Accordingly the relevant authorities are prepared to allow them in to the islets on these conditions.

LTTE cadres should possess relevant documents to identify themselves. They should restrict their political work to day time between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.  They are not permitted to carry arms, telecommunication equipment or cyanide capsules.  A member of the SLMM should accompany them. A 48-hour notice should be served before entering the islets.  They should pass through Allaipitti Navy check point.

They will not be allowed near security force bases, divisions, camps or whenever they are on duty but they can use alternate roads to enter villages.  The number of LTTE cadres will depend on the number of people residing in each islet.  If the LTTE cadres do not leave the islets within the specified time period, it will be brought to the notice of the SLMM.

Unless these cadres remaining in the islets leave, no other LTTE cadre will be allowed in for whatever purpose. They should strictly obey the ordinary laws of the country, they are permitted only to engage in political work.

They should desist from engaging in activities specified in clauses 2.1, 2.2 of the cease-fire agreement.

Mandaithivu is a small islet with just 230 people.  Since it is situated near Kalmunai Point under the LTTE’s control the cadres will not be allowed to enter this islet.  People of Mandaithivu will be allowed to go for political meetings in Kayts and Punguduthivu.