A distorted picture has been presented regarding local government elections held in Batticoloa district on March 10. The article failed to mention that nine political parties and 22 independent groups fielded 831 candidates to elect 101 members to nine local bodies. The yearning of the people for democracy was amply demonstrated by high voter turnout of around 60 per cent at the polls, which were held after a lapse of 14 years. These elections were one of the most peaceful in Sri Lanka in recent years, and certified as free and fair by the independent election-monitoring body, the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (Paffrel). Contrary to the article, there were no reports of violence.

Following the local government elections, the government has taken restoration of democracy to the eastern province a step further by organising provincial council elections on May 10. All major political parties are in the fray, giving the lie to excuses trotted out by the Tamil National Alliance, which has decided not to contest the election presumably under pressure from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The final paragraph of the article said 'the LTTE's cause will remain', as long as the intransigence of the Colombo government continues. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The world is aware it is the LTTE which has consistently displayed intransigent and obdurate behaviour during negotiations with successive governments, including the present administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The LTTE has cynically exploited ceasefire periods during past negotiations to procure weapons and recruit cadres, including forcibly conscripting young children, only to subsequently resume hostilities.

The LTTE has shown its disregard for human life and contempt for cherished values of humanity with its assassination of a senior Cabinet minister, Mr Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, on April 6.

The government is determined to carry forward the democratic process through a sustained dialogue with all political parties, to reach an honourable and durable political settlement. However, all efforts by the government to engage the LTTE in negotiations have proved futile.

Shehan Ratnavale
High Commissioner
High Commission of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka