The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) observed two minutes silence in honour of the late Mr Kethesh Loganathan, Deputy Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), at the commencement of their meeting held on 15 August 2006.

The Chairman Hon. Professor Tissa Vitharana paid a special tribute to Mr. Loganathan, who had been Secretary to the APRC, and members unanimously moved a vote of condolence on the tragic loss. They wanted their deepest sympathies conveyed to his widow Mrs Bhavani Loganathan.

Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitharana expressed his profound sorrow on the killing of Mr. Loganathan. He stated that Mr Loganathan, Deputy Secretary General of SCOPP and Secretary to the APRC was killed on Saturday 12 th of August, one year after the death of Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Hon. Prof. Vitharana stated “ It is very sad we have lost Mr Loganathan at a time when he could have contributed so much to help us in getting alternative indigenous proposals, for a solution to the national problem. In particular, a solution that we can put to the Tamil people to satisfy their aspirations.”

Hon. Prof. Vitharana stated he deeply appreciated Mr. Loganathan’s contribution to resolving the ethnic conflict in the country. Mr. Loganathan was deeply concerned about the issues confronting the Tamil people. He was a political and human rights activist and had been a member of the EPRLF. He had participated in the Thimpu Talks. Kethesh stood firm by his principles despite the threats to his life.

Hon. Prof. Vitharana concluded by stating that the best tribute that can be paid to Mr. Loganathan is to carry forward the APRC mandate to finding a solution. He said “I appeal to all of you here to take this process forward and in that way to make sure that his death was not in vain.”

The members of the APRC were unanimous in stating that they affirmed the sentiments expressed by the Chairman.