FM says LTTE’s overtures to India will not find accommodation

(November 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that Velupillai Prabhakaran’s overtures to India contained in his latest message yesterday will not find accommodation. The Minister made this observation in the course of a Statement in Parliament today (28 November 2008), on the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on 26 November 2008.

Condemning this terrorist atrocity, Minister Bogollagama referred to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Statement issued yesterday, in which he had drawn attention to “the urgent need for concerted action by all countries to eradicate terrorism, wherever it is, and whoever the leaders and manipulators of such violence may be.”

Quoting US President-elect Barack Obama’s message, wherein he had stated “The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks”, the Minister said that this message revealed the firm commitment and determination of the incoming US Administration in the global struggle against terrorism, and continued US leadership in the fight against this universal menace which has become a common threat to humanity.

The Foreign Minister recalling the cold-blooded assassination of one of India’s greatest sons and an outstanding Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE on 21 May 1991 in Sriperumpudur in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu, said that he had to pay the supreme sacrifice for his unshakable stand on supporting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and his outright rejection of the LTTE’s separatist and fascist agenda.

Minister Bogollagama also referred to the recent ruling of the New Delhi High Court, which upheld the Central Indian Government’s decision on 14 May 2008 to ban the LTTE. The Court had in its ruling agreed with the Centre’s submission that “The LTTE continues to use Tamil Nadu as the base for carrying out smuggling essential items like petrol and diesel, besides drugs, to Sri Lanka.” The Centre had also argued that “The Government of India is apprehensive that unless the ban of the LTTE continues, acts of aggression on Indian soil are likely to occur.”

In concluding his Statement on the floor of the House, the Foreign Minister held out an olive branch to Prabhakaran by urging him to heed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s call to lay down arms, renounce terrorism and enter the democratic path, in order to be part of the political process that is already underway, to evolve a sustainable solution that will bring lasting peace and stability to Sri Lanka. - Sri Lanka Guardian