On May 30, Chief Negotiator of the LTTE, Anton Balasingham, responded to the latest proposals set forth by the Government in an attempt to break the deadlock in the peace process. The Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, responded to that letter on June 1 through the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

The Prime Minister, in his letter, seeks to clarify certain issues brought up by Mr Balasingham and reassures the LTTE of the Government’s intentions. While thanking the LTTE for their commitment to the peace process and their expressed renunciation of a violent struggle and war, the Prime Minister points out that resolution of the matter is possible only by substantial discussion and that communication through an exchange of letters will not be sufficient. In the circumstances, he has requested for an official delegation to engage in dialogue with the LTTE to better explain the proposals set out by the Government.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was responding to Mr Balasingham’s letter of May 30, in which he expresses dismay at the Government not addressing “the critical issue of setting up an interim administrative structure for the northeast as suggested by the LTTE leadership”. However, he reiterates that the LTTE is “sincerely and seriously committed to the peace process and doing our utmost to seek a settlement through negotiations”.

 

Prime Minister’s letter of June 1 to Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.
Prime Minister’s letter of June 1 to LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham.
LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham’s letter of May 30 to the Prime Minister.