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Govt., LTTE ready for joint mechanism
By Santush Fernando
The Government is to go ahead with a joint mechanism for the equitable distribution of tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It is now studying the finer points before formally conveying its willingness to the LTTE through the Norwegian peace facilitators. The joint mechanism which is to be multi-tiered with regional and district committees is to include non-governmental agencies and civilian organizations.

LTTE Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvan said in Norway yesterday they had already endorsed the draft of the joint mechanism. His remarks to the media came after a meeting with Norwegian officials. He accused the Government of dragging its feet on foreign assistance to tsunami-affected people in Tiger guerrilla-controlled areas. He said delays had caused doubts in the minds of the people about the Government's sincerity.

The Sunday Times learns that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has at its annual convention on Friday given the green light to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to go ahead with the joint mechanism. According to an SLFP source, the party has given her a mandate in terms of a resolution adopted by the SLFP Working Committee. The resolution urges President Kumaratunga to take interim measures necessary for tsunami rebuilding work in the North and East as long as it did not pose a threat to the integrity and security of the country.

At Friday's convention held at the Maharagama National Youth Services Council, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse also moved a resolution urging the Government to resume peace negotiations immediately. This follows a similar resolution adopted at the SLFP Women's wing conference presided by President Kumaratunga presided.

Sources said the government had communicated its willingness to the LTTE and was waiting a response to resume talks. The party believed the rehabilitation of the tsunami-affected people was more important than the interim self-governing authority and a final solution to the North and East, the sources said.

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