Press Release by the Co-Chairs

Colombo, 10 April 2006

The Heads of Mission of the Netherlands, the EU delegation, Norway and Japan, in their capacity as local Co-Chair representatives, met today, April 10,  with Mr Tamilchelvan and other representatives of the LTTE. This meeting was supported by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Co-Chairs discussed episodes over the last month. They noted the level of violence has remained lower than the levels seen before the first meeting in Geneva. However, the Co-Chairs condemned most strongly the recent acts of violence over the last days. The Co-Chairs also expressed concern at continued violence in the east. The Co-Chairs await the outcome of the SLMM  enquiries. 

The Co-Chairs discussed progress on commitments made in Geneva I. As with the government, the Co-Chairs called on the LTTE to live up to its commitments and to make a strong and positive LTTE engagement to make the upcoming talks a success. 

The Co-Chairs recognised the commitment of both sides to the ceasefire talks. However, the Co-Chairs emphasised that realising commitments comprehensively on the ground by both parties will take time and a willingness to find common ground. 

To ensure full compliance with the ceasefire agreement and to move beyond this, it is paramount that the Government and LTTE work on confidence building measures that create an enabling environment for further steps in the peace process. 

Part of building that confidence is to discuss solutions to other challenges facing the north and east, beyond the CFA, such as access and the development of the region.  

The LTTE was urged again to refrain from all violence and  to engage in a discussion on a political outcome, ensuring the democratic rights of all people in Sri Lanka. The recommendations of the European Union Election Observation Mission report which calls on LTTE to permit free campaigning and elections in the north and east was stressed.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Colombo