Statement by Tamil National Alliance leader S Sampanthan, September 5, 2002

We wholeheartedly welcome the de-proscription of the LTTE by the United National Front government. The assurance given by the Prime Minister to the TNA few weeks back that the ban on the LTTE would be lifted ten days ahead of the peace talks has been fulfilled. This step has given confidence on the proposed peace talks scheduled to begin on September 16th at Thailand.

Some elements are always active in the country to oppose political solution to the Tamil national question. The government should not give room for this handful of persons. Instead the government should firmly act to find a permanent and just solution to the conflict to ensure stable peace in the country.

The present President was elected to power first as Prime Minister and later the executive head of the country in 1994 general and presidential election respectively with the massive support of all the three communities on the assurance that she would find a permanent and just solution to the conflict. Hence there is no justification for her to act as an obstacle to take forward the present peace process.

The President should not take any decision in regard to the peace moves on the guidance of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). It is essential for her to assist the peace process on the basis to find a just and permanent solution to the conflict in the interest of the country.

At this juncture we appeal to the President to extend her wholehearted support of herself and her party to the peace efforts initiated by the government.

The leader of the four-party Tamil coalition, Tamil National Alliance, S Sampanthan advised President Chandrika Kumaratunga to make deciisions on the peace process independently and not be influenced by the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna.