Ceasefire implementation under serious strain - SLMM
 

by Chamikara Weerasinghe

Scandinavian truce monitors declared yesterday that implementation of the Ceasefire between Sri Lankan Government and LTTE, was under serious strain following the recent spate of assassinations in the North.

Acting spokesperson of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, Mats Lundstrom told the Daily News the business of implementing the Ceasefire was a tough task as there had been instances where even the SLMM had been threatened by certain elements in the North.

Asked to name the perpetrators Lundstrom said that he did not intend to point the finger at any group until a detailed investigation is conducted. "The situation in Jaffna has worsened following the recent claymore mine attacks on the troops," he said.

We are conducting inquiries into these incidents to establish facts about the perpetrators, he said. Asked if he knew any other organisation, capable of exploding claymore mines other than the LTTE, Lundstrom declined to comment but to say that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission would declare its position once when the facts have been established. The SLMM Acting Spokesman also said that it was not their duty to perform the task of a policeman or the government.

"We do not have powers to perform police work although we are doing our best to conduct investigations into these incidents," he said.

"We have several members among us who have police and military background," he added. Asked if they had any talks with the LTTE and the Government about the situation in Jaffna, Lundstrom said they were having constant contacts with the Government and the LTTE.