Ceasefire by another name?

By Lakna Paranamanna

The JVP yesterday accused the government of giving into international pressure and declaring a ceasefire by another name with the cessation of use of heavy weapons on Monday.
“In the statement issued by the Government last Monday, regarding the current state of the war, three points are clearly mentioned; the military has stopped the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties and they have confined the attempts to rescue civilians that are being held hostage by the LTTE. These show clear signs of a situation close to a ceasefire,” pointed out the JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe. He also added that the Government has been careful enough not to mention the word ‘ceasefire’ although the statement speaks of operations which are similar during a ceasefire.
He pointed out that the Government is being influenced by the International community, mainly from countries such as India, UK and Sweden. “This statement is a result of such influences. The Government is displaying clear signs of giving into their wishes,” he said. He further said that the decisions of forming a war-free zone and 48 hour ceasefire over the New Year were also results of the manipulations made by the International Community. “Yesterday the Foreign Minister of UK, arrived in the country. Their sole purpose of this visit is to further persuade the Government and to make sure they proceed with the decisions mentioned in the statement, issued on Monday.”