Lanka accuses LTTE of violating ceasefire agreement

Colombo, Apr 12 (UNI) Sri Lanka today accused the Tamil Tiger rebels of repeatedly violating the four-year-long ceasefire agreement and cautioned the guerrillas not to test government's patience.

''It is the intention of the government to carry forward the peace process with tolerance, which has been manifested during the last four, five days despite series of attacks. All this will be at a risk if we go on this manner. While trying to keep the maximum tolerance levels, with these it should not be considered a weakness at any given time,'' Minister of Plan Implementation Keheliya Rambukkwella told reporters here.

Accusing the LTTE of repeatedly violating the shaky ceasefire agreement as well as what was agreed in Geneva in mid-February, the Minister said the rebels did not show respect to these undertakings.

Over 20 security force personnel have been killed in the past 72 hours due to LTTE claymore explosions in the volatile North-East region.

Claiming that the government is fully committed to the peace process and the proposed talks in Geneva on April 19 despite acts of provocations by the LTTE, Mr Rambukkwella said there were certain levels of tolerance that have to be exercised to the maximum.

''If you see the incidents, it's a clear violation and any other organisation would have reacted to this. But the decision of the government was to keep the armed forces informed of the decisions at Geneva,'' the Minister said.

Commenting on the LTTE's threat to use their own sea wing to transport their Eastern commanders to the Wanni for discussion, Mr Rambukkwella said that the government has offered the rebels ''the best mode of transport to the extent that the government can give them full security''.

UNI XC PR PM1616