Press Release issued by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in its capacity as the Local Presidency of the European Union

Colombo 11 April 2006

The Netherlands Embassy, in its capacity as the Local Presidency of the European Union, condemns in the strongest terms recent serious incidents of violence.

The EU/Local Presidency urges both the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka to live up to the specific public commitments they made at the Geneva CFA talks in February 2006.

Recent violent incidents illustrate a flagrant disregard for the commitments made by the parties at Geneva and place in serious jeopardy the upcoming talks in Geneva. The attacks must be seen as an attempt to derail the upcoming CFA talks in Geneva.

The EU views the most recent attacks on the Sri Lankan Armed Forces with grave concern and is reconsidering appropriate steps.

The Local Presidency urges all involved not to return to the hostile situation witnessed in the beginning of this year. The parties are urged to do all they can to ensure there are no acts of violence, intimidation, abductions or killings. In order to reach a lasting peace, it is imperative to engage in a discussion on a political outcome of the conflict, ensuring the democratic rights of all people in Sri Lanka.