Sri Lankan President Welcomes Talks with Tamil Rebels

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 28, 2002

Sri Lankan President Welcomes Talks with Tamil Rebels

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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga welcomed the announcement by the government that direct talks with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels will commence in early May, the Presidential Secretariat said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The President has always contended that peace talks should follow a mutually agreed cessation of hostilities and welcomes this progress in the peace process." the statement said.

It added that Kumaratunga has campaigned tirelessly for redressing minority grievances in the country and meeting their aspirations within a democratic, multi-ethnic and united Sri Lanka.

However, the statement noted that it is important to recognizethe importance of guaranteeing human rights during ceasefire with Tamil rebels and the centrality of fundamental and democratic freedoms in a negotiated settlement to secure a lasting and durable peace in the country.

Following the signing of an indefinite truce agreement betweenthe government and Tamil rebels last month, Kumaratung expressed her concern that some clauses in the agreement will undermine sovereignty of the country.

Government spokesman and Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris told reporters here earlier on Wednesday that the government and Tamil rebels have agreed to start talks with minimum delay and the face to face talks between the two sides areexpected to be held in the first week of May.

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