Make devolution offer now, EU tells Sri Lanka

By IANS

Brussels : The European Union (EU) Monday called upon Sri Lanka to come forward with a “substantive devolution offer” around which negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) can start as soon as possible.


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“For an arrangement to serve as a feasible basis for negotiations, it needs to go beyond past offers and the EU urges both parties to work towards a solution that would bring a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict,” the EU said in a statement here.

The 27-nation group also said it “deeply regrets” Sri Lanka’s decision last week to abrogate the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the LTTE.

“This decision and the current military campaign further deteriorate the country’s already difficult situation, including the humanitarian and human rights situation.

“Without the ceasefire agreement prospects of negotiating a lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka are narrowed further. The EU particularly regrets that the work of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission will be terminated,” it said.

The EU also expressed concern at the LTTE’s acts of terror in recent months and “statements promising further violence from their side”.

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