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Sri Lanka Urges Tiger Rebels Not to Derail Peace Process
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar appealed on Friday to separatist Tamil Tiger rebels not to derail Norwegian-brokered peace process in the country .
Speaking at a press conference Kadirgamar said that the British ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has no logical connection to the peace process in the war-torn country.
Britain on Wednesday included LTTE in the list of 21 world groups as "foreign terrorist organizations" under its new anti- terrorism law which went into effect on February 19.
Kadirgamar urged the Tiger rebels not to view the ban as an attempt to derail a Norwegian-brokered peace initiative in the country.
He called on LTTE rebels to give up violent actions and join with Tamil people in bringing peace to the country.
Kadirgamar reiterated that the government will not reciprocate Tamil rebels' ceasefire offer until possible peace talks between the two sides make progress.
The LTTE rebels have extended their unilateral ceasefire for a third month and demanded the government to make positive response.
The rebels have been fighting against government forces in the north and east of the country for a separate Tamil state. More than 60,000 people have been killed in the bloody war.
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