Statement at a press conference in Killinochchi
Published by Tamilnet on 15 March, 2003
Our leadership has taken a decision to attend Japan peace talks. The boycotting of the Japan peace talks could result in bringing undesirable consequences. Further, a boycott will likely provide Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) a propaganda tool to cast doubts on our committment to peace talks. Hence our leadership decided to participate in the Japan peace talks.
Our leadership felt that expressing direct condemnation of the action of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) for sinking our merchant vessel in most severe terms to the GOSL, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and to the international community interested in peace would be more appropriate at this juncture.
The LTTE delegation would also take up the question of resettling the displaced in the high security zones in Jaffna district. The displaced should enjoy the peace dividends. People will lose confidence on the peace process if they fail to enjoy its benefits.