“ The greatest natural disaster that has befallen our country in history is, paradoxically, also an opportunity for us all to devise innovative approaches towards national solidarity and conflict resolution. There are encouraging prospects for a genuine partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE that herald a period of peace and stability for our island nation”.
Jayantha Dhanapala
Secretary General
Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)
Sri Lanka is witnessing the largest relief and rehabilitation activities in the wake of the Tsunami waves that caused immense destruction to lives and property on 26 December 2004.
From the day the disaster struck on 26 December, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) has been reaching out to the LTTE Peace Secretariat through the assistance of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to ascertain the essential items required for urgent humanitarian relief.
On 27 December, the Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat, Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala conveyed the offer of Government assistance to Mr. S. Puleedevan, Secretary General of the LTTE Peace Secretariat.
Further, on 28 December, the Government’s offer to render all possible assistance to the people of the North and the East, without discrimination, was conveyed in a letter sent by the Secretary to President, Mr. W.J.S Karunaratne to Mr. S.P Tamilselvan, Head of the LTTE Political Division. “ All Government services are available for deployment in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts in the same manner as for all other affected parts of our country,” the letter says.
He also invited the LTTE to participate in a high-level coordinating committee that President Kumaratunga has established to ensure prompt and effective delivery of relief services.
The Government’s offer of assistance to the LTTE in disaster relief has also been conveyed to Kilinochchi by His Excellency, Hans Brattskar, Ambassdor of Norway.
Mr. Harim Peiris, Director General of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation visited Jaffna on 29th December. He also visited Kilinochchi and held talks with the LTTE leadership on the disbursement of assistance to disaster-affected areas in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.
As a humanitarian gesture, SCOPP extended its support to the LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi by sending a consignment of disaster relief items contributed by the SCOPP staff. The consignment was handed over in Kilinochchi to Mrs. Kalaithamil, Administration Officer of the LTTE Peace Secretariat on 1st January 2005.
UN agencies, humanitarian agencies, local and foreign NGOs, and the general public are all involved in the monumental task of ensuring relief to the needy and the affected. The Security Forces have kept the A9 open 24 hours to enable people to seek medical or other assistance needed. SCOPP has assisted in the co-ordination of the relief effort to the North and East in general and to the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts in particular.
The LTTE Development Secretariat’s request for assistance is being met by the government. Arrangements have been made by Norwegian facilitators for the LTTE Peace Secretariat to be in regular contact with the Government of Sri Lanka in Colombo for the purpose of coordinating disaster relief activities and develop a positive partnership in recovering from the adversity that has affected us all.
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Violations Committed
by the GOSL - 351
