Colombo rejects US call to hand over LTTE cadres to third party countries; Rajapakse brushes aside calls for ceasefire; Sri Lanka denies request of Swedish Foreign Minister to visit the country
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    • The Sri Lankan government rejected the request of the United States to hand over LTTE cadres to a third party, made by State Department spokesman, Robert Wood1. Calls for ceasefire with the LTTE were also brushed aside by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who asserted that “there was no time and need for it at this stage2.” Mr. Rajapakse also called upon the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender to the military forces3.

    International concern over the plight of the displaced civilians mounted with the British and French Foreign ministers visiting refugee camps during the week. Colombo however rejected the request of the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt to visit the camps, leading to a diplomatic row between the two countries. Sri Lanka on its part stated that it will not be able to handle many high level delegations at one time, a reason noted by Mr. Bildt as being a “very odd one4.” India meanwhile announced a grant of Rs. 1 billion for relief and rehabilitation for displaced Tamil civilians5.

    In other developments, in the recently held Western Provincial Council elections, UPFA emerged as a clear victor, winning two thirds (68 out of 102) of the seats. While the UPFA polled 64.73 percent of the vote, the UNP secured 29.5 percent, JVP 2.42 percent, SLMC 2.12 percent and the Democratic Unity Alliance 0.51 percent of the votes6. President Rajapakse, reacting to these developments, stated that election results were indicative of the will of the people to root out terrorism7.

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