The Ministry of Information and Media has observed several reports in the press pertaining to attempts at creating a working arrangement for the post Tsunami humanitarian relief and rehabilitation efforts and wishes to clarify as follows:

Subsequent to the Tsunami disaster, Her Excellency the President and the Government decided upon seeking an inclusive and consensus driven approach to the gigantic humanitarian relief and reconstruction task facing the nation.

Based upon that decision the President invited all leaders of the parties represented in Parliament to join a national level All Party Committee overseeing the humanitarian relief and rehabilitation effort and, consequently, invited the LTTE to also jointly work towards this humanitarian endeavor. The Peace Secretariats of the Government and the LTTE have always maintained regular dialogue on matters of mutual interest and subsequent to the Tsunami, the co-ordination of post-tsunami relief and reconstruction has been the focus of such dialogue.

Subsequent to receiving the President's letter inviting their participation in humanitarian endeavors, the LTTE response has been to agree to discuss this. Consequently, the Peace Secretariats of the government and the LTTE have, at a technical level, been exploring ways and means of achieving this objective.

Director Information
The Ministry of Information and Media