11/6/2007
Ranil Wijayapala

Government Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella justified the action taken by the Air Force in taking the life of Tiger political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan saying that he had an inclination towards terrorism, not peace negotiations.

Addressing the media yesterday in Colombo Minister Rambukwella said there is no justification by certain groups to project Thamilselvan as a dove of peace as he made no attempt to engage in meaningful peace deliberations. However, the Minister said the Government has not deviated from the position of peace negotiations as the doors are still open for the LTTE to enter peace negotiations denouncing violence.

"As long as there are groups engaged in terror activities and violence we will not hesitate to attack them to free the country of terrorism," the Minister said.

"As per the peace negotiations are concerned, windows are still open for the LTTE to enter peace negotiations by denouncing violence," the Minister said clearly explaining the Government's position on terrorism and peace negotiations.

Minister said the Government considers Thamilselvan as a terrorist leader rather than a peace negotiator with fair reasons since Thamilselvan did not contribute towards meaningful peace deliberations despite his participation in peace talks.

He pointed out that Thamilselvan was instrumental in meticulously planning the procurement of military hardware behind the stage during peace negotiations in Geneva and Oslo.

Minister Rambukwella also said that it was the team led by Thamilselvan who jeopardised peace negotiations with the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government by insisting on discussing minor issues against the will of the Government to discuss core issues relating the Tamil question.

"He showed no inclination towards peace negotiations through his statement as he threatened to create a bloodbath in the South when their strongholds in Sampur, Vakarai and Thoppigala were falling to the Security Forces," the Minister added.