A meeting between
the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and representatives
of the Muslim community in Muttur was held on May 21, 2003,
at the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) office in Trincomalee.
This meeting, the second since disturbances took place,
was conducted under the chairmanship of Mr Jan Ledang, District
Head of the SLMM. Representatives of the LTTE, headed by
District Political Head Mr S Thilak, and members of the
Majlis Ashura of Muttur were present.
As an outcome of the meeting, an agreement was reached as follows:
1. To establish a committee to find solutions to the various types of problems that may arise between members of the Muslim and Tamil communities. The Muttur Majlis Ashura and the LTTE will nominate four members each to represent them in the Committee.
2. Owners of paddy lands who have been cultivating their lands without interference from any other person in the past can have access to their lands and proceed to cultivate such lands with immediate effect. This decision would cover all such category of lands in the Trincomalee District. However, lands which are subject to lease or tenancy and problems relating to lands which remain uncultivated over the years, will be dealt with by the Committee with a sense of fairness.
3. Fishermen are at liberty to carry out their fishing activities at sea. However, the said Committee would look into problems relating to fishing in tanks, rivers, and lagoons, and take suitable determinations in regard to such problems.
4. People can engage themselves in their occupations and day-to-day vocations without any sense of fear.
The agreement was signed by Mr S Thilak, on behalf of the LTTE, and by Moulavi M M Careem, as the President of the Majlis Ashura of Muttur.
The first meeting took place on 29 April 2003 at the Divisional Secretary’s office in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa.
Violations Committed
by the GOSL - 351
