“ 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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