Rohith Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the government is prepared for talks even tomorrow.

Foreign Minister, Bogolagama made this announcement day after the LTTE Air wing launched its first air raid on the Katunayake Air force base. He has stated that the government believes in engaging in negotiations to find meaningful peace by all means and that if the LTTE is prepared, the talks could begin even the next day.

Foreign Minister made this announcement immediately after holding talks with the envoys of donor countries such as America, Japan, Norway, EU and Germany.

He stated, “Our government believes that we need to talk, we need to explore all avenues.” What is the hurdle in recommencing the peace talks?

The government, on the one hand, talks about peace and peace efforts but, on the other hand, it intensifies its military agenda. As a result, both peace talks and war efforts have been flawed.

The government has ignored the Ceasefire that ushered in a congenial atmosphere for peace. It has intensified a military agenda derailing peace talks. It is at this stage of political development that the LTTE had launched an air raid which is a pointer for a new dimension in the civil war. It is in such a context that the Foreign Minister Bogollagama states that the government needs to explore all avenues.

Tamils have to point out the political reality to the government leadership of the South that the government cannot pursue both a military solution and peaceful solution simultaneously.

Therefore, there must be an earnest dedication for peaceful negotiations for a political solution not only in words but also in deeds.

An English translation of the Editorial in Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily, based n Colombo

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