<b>Two SLMM Monitors held against their will onboard a LTTE vessel</b>

Joseph Thavarajah- Our Special Reporter: Colombo July 15: A serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri
Lanka and the LTTE, occurred on Saturday afternoon, when two LTTE trawlers,
at least one with an Indian registration number, entered Sri Lankan
territorial waters in Palk Bay, south of Jaffna peninsula. The Sri Lankan
Navy (SLN) intercepted the two trawlers at 17.45. One of the trawlers fled
from the scene and managed to leave the SLN vessels and the other trawler
behind by going through shallow water and go ashore close to Devil’s Point.
At the same time the second trawler was adrift close to Iranativu Islands in
Palk Bay being closely monitored by SLN vessels.

SLN requested the advice and assistance of SLMM Naval Monitors in Jaffna
around 18.00. At 20.10, with the full approval of the LTTE’s Political
Leadership in Kilinochchi, two SLMM Naval Monitors embarked the trawler.
SLMM found communication equipment onboard the trawler, which was controlled
by 4 LTTE cadres. SLMM suggested to the SLN Admiralty, LTTE Political
Headquarters in Kilinochchi and to the Commanding Officers involved in the
incident that the LTTE cadres would be allowed to go ashore and the
remaining trawler would be taken into the custody of SLN. That offer was
rejected by LTTE leadership and the LTTE cadres onboard refused to disembark
the trawler.

At 23.20 SLMM Headquarters received information that the LTTE cadres had
started to move the trawler towards the shore of Vanni. SLN Officer and SLN
sailor who where onboard the trawler at this time managed to jump onto a SLN
boat that was moving alongside the trawler. At this time, the two SLMM Naval
Monitors where held against their will by the LTTE cadres and physically
hindered from leaving the trawler. The LTTE cadres then left the SLN vessels
behind by moving the trawler across shallow water to the shore where they
disembarked 2 Km South of Devil’s Point at 00.35. At this time the two SLMM
Naval Monitors were released. Representatives of LTTE’s Political wing
brought them to Kilinochchi where they finally got to the SLMM Liaison
office in Kilinochchi at 05.40 Sunday Morning.

According to Major General Trond Furuhovde, Head of SLMM, “This is a serious
violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and a major blow to the trust of SLMM
in the LTTE. This kind of behaviour is extremely counterproductive to the
success we have had so far. Instead of relying on SLMM as impartial monitors
working for both parties in solving disputes and ensuring the implementation
of the Ceasefire Agreement, LTTE members decided to mistreat two SLMM
Monitors."

Major General Trond Furuhovde added: "After this irresponsible behaviour it is clear that the LTTE will
have a lot to do in rebuilding people’s confidence in their organization. I
hope we will be able to find ways to keep walking towards peace and I hope
that the LTTE is still ready to do so.”