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[Mathan]

Forces Say SLMM is asleep and ineffective - We are powerless- SLMM

Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo, SLT 6.30 A.M 29 April. Security forces say that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is asleep and utterly ineffective and the monitors had not done anything to prevent the LTTE from violating the ceasefire agreement signed between the government and the LTTE.
They say the LTTE could do anything and violate the ceasefire agreement without the monitors taking action against them. One senior officer said, See what happened in the east. LTTE violated the ceasefire agreement and came by boats to Kathiraveli, Vakaneri and also through other government controlled areas to attack Karunas group. They brought in about 3000 troops. They violated the ceasefire agreement and the SLMM did not do anything about it. But, what we could laugh most about is that after carrying out the attacks and violating the ceasefire agreement, the LTTE requested the SLMM for approval to go back to Vanni via Omanthai." They fought a war, went through government areas, killed a candidate Rajan Sathyamoorthi, and tried to assassinate the Government Agent of Batticaloa, Pathamanthan, what happened? What did the SLMM do about it? Have you got reports from them? The Army officer questioned.

Other officers pointed out that no international pressure has been brought against the LTTE and even the foreign media has conveniently decided to ignore the MOU violations of the LTTE. They pointed out that nearly 1500 cadres who were under LTTEs eastern commander Karuna had come to cleared areas and are trying to resettle with their families but, the LTTE is trying to re-recruit them and to send them to Wanni. They wanted to know what the SLMM was doing about it and if any NGOs working in the east have a list of members re-united with their families. " Forces only report to the SLMM but, no action is being taken" the officer lamented.

However, Deputy Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, Hagrup Haukland, says that the SLMM had no powers to execute anything. He said, " We have only verbal power". He requested for support from both parties to the conflict. " What we do is to inquire in to the incidents and inform the parties concerned. We have got only verbal power and both parties must co-operate with us," Haukland added. He said the monitors could also understand the frustration of the ordinary people since most complaints have come from ordinary people. However, he said that the monitors were yet to receive written complaints about their ineffectiveness from the government or the LTTE. When questioned if the SLMM was seeking more powers Haukaland declined to comment.