US, Norway express concern over violence

The US and Norway have expressed "deep concern" over the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka.

The United States expressing deep concern on Tuesday over rising violence, called on the Government and the LTTE to "embrace peace and work together".

Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim in a statement yesterday expressed his Government's deep concern about the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka.

"The high level of violence and the tragic loss of life are putting the Ceasefire Agreement at risk and will make it very difficult to secure further progress in the peace process," Solheim said.

"We are deeply concerned about the continued erosion of Sri Lanka's four-year old ceasefire as marked by the recent series of violent incidents," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said in a statement.

"The United States recognises that a lasting peace in Sri Lanka can only be achieved by Sri Lankans," he said. "We call on both sides to embrace peace and work together to build a future for Sri Lanka that is prosperous and secure."

The statement noted that the United States, as a co-chair of the Sri Lanka Donors Group along with Japan, the European Community, Norway and the United Kingdom, had met LTTE leaders in Kilinochchi on Christmas Eve.

"The United States reiterates this message in the strongest possible terms," Ereli said.

The claymore ambush on a vehicle in Jaffna on Tuesday, the killings of Sri Lankan Navy sailors in Mannar on December 23, the shooting of civilians near Jaffna University, numerous other attacks on military personnel and civilians, violence against Muslims and the assassination of Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham during Mass on Christmas Eve are terrible and tragic events, he said.

Solheim said all acts of violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Solheim stressed that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission is carrying out its responsibilities under very difficult circumstances and expressed his appreciation for the work it is doing.

"The Government and the LTTE have the responsibility for safeguarding the Ceasefire Agreement. The two parties to the Ceasefire Agreement must meet urgently to discuss ways and means to strengthen the implementation of the Agreement.

The focus should now be on the need to stop the bloodshed and prevent further loss of life. The ceasefire agreement must be upheld to prevent the further escalation of violence. The Government and the LTTE should put aside the discussion on venue and meet face to face as soon as possible," Solheim said.

"The venue for a meeting is of no importance to Norway.

What is important to us is that the Government and the LTTE meet as soon as possible to discuss the ceasefire agreement and the recent tragic and dangerous developments. There is no time to lose," Solheim said.