Issued on behalf of the Netherlands Embassy, local Presidency of the European Union

Colombo 13 May 2006

The Presidency of the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks yesterday by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the Sri Lankan navy.

The LTTE have committed gross violations of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) at sea in recent days. The attack on a troop carrier and the reported sinking of an accompanying navy vessel is the latest and most severe violation. The known presence of SLMM monitors on board that vessel adds to the seriousness of the violation.

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has ruled that the sea is a Government Controlled Area.

The claim by LTTE that SLMM has put its own monitors at risk by allowing them to travel on naval vessels is utterly unacceptable. This seeks to absolve LTTE from its responsibility for the safety of monitors. This is a clear violation of the Ceasefire Agreement that requires all parties to take all measures to preserve the safety of the SLMM monitors.

The reckless behaviour of the LTTE in the last days can only contribute to a dangerous escalation that results in growing hostilities and jeopardises any possibility for future peace talks.

The EU urges the Government of Sri Lanka to show as much restraint as possible.

The EU welcomes the government statement that it condemns absolutely all acts of violence in government controlled areas, that it will not tolerate any "culture of impunity" and that it will do all in its power to pursue perpetrators and bring them to justice. This commitment needs to be pursued with vigour on the ground.

This is the latest episode in a wider escalation of violence in the last month that is threatening the Ceasefire Agreement. The EU condemns these acts that have caused death and suffering among all communities, be they Tamil, Singhalese or Muslim. The EU calls on both parties to do all in their power to show restraint and to prevent further violence. The Ceasefire Agreement is what stands between Sri Lanka and outright war which the vast majority of Sri Lankans - regardless of ethnic group - desperately want to avoid. The voice of that majority should now be heard.