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SLMM sees “other forces”
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has condemned Friday's incident in Mannar in which 13 Navy personnel were killed but declared there "are definitely powers working in the northeast at the moment who do not want peace".

However, the statement issued by the Head of Mission did not identity who these powers are except to say "by instigating provocations and violence, they are causing fear and mistrust in the whole of Sri Lanka”. The statement said "If this is allowed to continue, the Ceasefire Agreement will be in jeopardy very soon".

The statement by the SLMM head cautiously avoided making any reference to the LTTE, widely known not only for Friday's attack but also for being behind a string of violent incidents in the Jaffna peninsula. On Friday night the Government in an official statement pointedly accused the LTTE of being responsible for Friday's incident.

Haukland said "It was with great dismay I learned about the vicious attack on a convoy carrying personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy on Mannar Island on 23 December 2005 and I condemn it in the strongest possible way."

He added: "It is now instrumental that decisive actions are taken so that the perpetrators can be apprehended and brought to justice. Only then can an environment be created that is conducive for renewed peace talks. On behalf of the SLMM, I would also like to convey my deepest sympathy to the families of the killed sailors on their tragic loss.

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