World | Other World Stories
Tigers' call to disarm ridiculed
Sri Lanka's police chief Chandra Fernando has said the Tamil rebels have no right to call for the disarming of other armed groups.
- By Sinha Ratnatunga, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 March 14, 2006
Colombo: Sri Lanka's police chief Chandra Fernando has said the Tamil rebels have no right to call for the disarming of other armed groups.
Fernando has described the call by the rebels to disarm other armed groups as "a ridiculous suggestion".
The Inspector General of Police in an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper said: "A terrorist group cannot demand other armed groups be disarmed, and they do not have any right to make such a demand."
Fernando said as long as the LTTE remains a terrorist group it cannot demand that another armed group be disarmed.
He, however, maintained it was the responsibility of the government to disarm all armed groups and that includes the LTTE.
Disarming other militant groups has been one of the key demands placed by the rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the talks in Geneva. The government has promised to disarm other armed groups.
Referring to the LTTE's claim that there were several paramilitary groups operating in the country, Fernando said: "In Sri Lanka, we have only one paramilitary group and that is the Special Task Force (STF). The STF is assisting in police work and that is all."
But, it is known to all that the army has obtained the services of former Tamil militant groups to assist them in their search operations for Tamil militants.
The Police Chief, however, said the police would not hesitate to take legal action against any group carrying arms illegally.
"If we have information, we will take action against any groups carrying arms illegally," he said.
Fernando said LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham had said they were a "terrorist group" and admitted all the murders they had committed, including that of a former Mayor Alfred Duraiappa.
Rebels have previously objected to them being referred to as a terrorist group.
The police chief said that confidence building measures between the two sides should take place at the community level.
He said during the last four years, starting from February 22, 2002, when the ceasefire agreement was signed the LTTE had openly brought weapons and other items to Colombo and had unleashed violence.
"There is ample proof for this fact", he said.
"For example, LTTE sent one Jeyarani to assassinate Minister Douglas Devananda in Colombo. But thanks to police officers, who were on duty at the Ministry office, we were able arrest the suicide cadre and prevent the killing. We have clear evidence linking this woman to the LTTE", he added.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Girl with tumour has six organs replaced
Girl from Maine just glad to be home after months in hospital
-
I will prove Chidambaram is a crook: Swamy
Man of the moment vows to fight corruption person by person
-
Italy on a plate
Chef Tito Piazza brings authentic dishes to Abu Dhabi —and your home
