RIYADH, 12 November 2006 — A visiting Sri Lankan minister who took part in the recent peace talks with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in Geneva, is optimistic that the negotiations for a peaceful settlement would continue in the coming months. “It is wrong to presume that the talks have reached a deadlock. Both parties have disagreed on the closure of A9 route but this problem could be amicably settled in the coming months,” said Ferial Ashraff, minister of housing and construction who visited the Kingdom on an invitation from Interior Minister Prince Naif.
Peace talks between Sri Lanka’s government and the Tigers ended in a stalemate. The talks hit snags over a central rebel demand that the government reopen a highway that crosses through rebel territory to the army-held Jaffna Peninsula in the island’s far north. LTTE political wing chief S.P. Thamilselvan said the rebels would not participate in new talks until the A9 highway linking the north to the rest of the country was reopened — which the government has refused to do.
“ It is only a temporary closure and we will soon reopen the controversial Muhamalai entry point after the necessary renovations are done on the A9 highway,” Ashraff said, insisting that it could only be reopened if the rebels stop launching attacks on this road.
“This is the bone of contention, it will be resolved soon and thereafter we hope to continue talks for a peaceful settlement,” she noted. “The government is ever willing to cooperate with the LTTE to come to an amicable settlement. As a friendly gesture, salaries of public servants working in the rebel-held areas are paid by the government,” she said. Regarding the position of Muslims in the negotiations, Ashraff said that the LTTE has agreed that the eastern and the northern parts of the island are traditional homeland of the Tamils as well as the Muslims. “The rebels have also ensured that any decision taken at the peace talks will not jeopardize the interests of Muslims.”
She added that sustainable peace can be achieved only with a clear understanding between the Muslims and the Tamils.
She pointed out that the recent agreement between the ruling and opposition parties on matters of common interests, hasfurther boosted the morale of the Muslims and Tamils who are a minority in the island. Speaking about the purpose of her visit to the Kingdom, she said she had discussions with senior officials of the Saudi Charity Campaign which has agreed to build 1,000 houses for the tsunami victims of the island. Following the talks, it was agreed to build 500 houses in Akkaraipattu in the eastern province and 440 houses in Trincomalee district and 60 houses in the district of Galle. She said that the housing complex at Akkaraipattu will be named after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah. Ashraff said the Muslims in the island are well looked after by the government.
