COLOMBO, Nov 12: A week after President Mahinda Rajapakse told parliament that he was ready to welcome the LTTE into mainstream politics if the rebels were willing to enter the democratic process, a former Tamil Tiger rebel, now the chief minister of the Eastern Province, has accused India of forcing a ceasefire on Sri Lanka.

The accusation comes nearly a month after New Delhi began applying pressure on Colombo for halting operation against the Tamil Tigers.

Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, who was appointed chief minister of the Eastern province following his paramilitary group’s split from the LTTE in 2004, has claimed that an Indian steered peace process with the LTTE would create a ‘disastrous’ situation in the east, a region from which the Tamil Tigers were fully ousted last year.

Mr Pillayan said at a function that India lacks a proper understanding of the ground situation in the north and east of the country.

TOTLA SURRENDER: Days after a pro rebel website reported that the Tigers were willing to consider a ceasefire, a government spokesman accused the LTTE of trying to buy time for regrouping under the cover of a ceasefire.

“We have seen this happening before. Now we will be more cautious. The past has taught us that we cannot trust them,” Keheliye Rambukwella told Dawn. “The government’s condition for the guerillas to re-enter the peace process would be a total surrender.”

Presenting the budget last week in parliament for the year 2009, President Mahinda Rajapakse had called upon the LTTE to lay down arms and join the “democratic mainstream”, warning the Tamil Tigers that if they did not heed his request, they would be ‘brought to their knees’.

The subsequent reply by the Tamil Tigers that they had never shied away from peace and were ready to enter the negotiation process followed soon after the statement by the president.

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...