<b>Advertisements for posts in Eelam police, bank: CBK expresses concern over LTTE behaviour</b>

Himangi Jayasundere - The Island

President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday expressed concerns over the behaviour of the LTTE despite the ongoing peace process. Addressing a meeting of the National Consultation on Ethnic Reconciliation which she had summoned the president said that she had been informed of the advertisement placed by the LTTE in national newspapers calling for applicants to fill posts in the Eelam Police Force, the Eelam Bank. "If that is so it is a very unsatisfactory situation because there is no separate state in the country and no devolution yet," she said.

She said that she had also received information through reports of Amnesty International and the UTHR that the LTTE was also attempting to set up its own courts of law, a law college and a judges’ training school.

"I have taken serious note of this and intend to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister. Upto now to my knowledge no action has been taken by the Prime Minister," she said.

"There are others... I do not want to go into details.... why dates have not been fixed for talks. The fact that the LTTE behaves in this manner is cause for consideration," she said.

Members of the government were notably absent at the National Consultation on Ethnic Reconciliation which was launched at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

"We invited 12 ministers of cabinet, I know that four are overseas, the others have not responded," the President said commenting during the open forum.

The President yesterday also said that "Peace talks must be held as soon as possible. There is no need to postpone them even by a day." She was responding to comments from a wide forum consisting of NGO’s, Parliamentarians and academics.

"I happen to be alone. A lone woman trying to co-habit with 58 ministers" she said, commenting on a question on conflict within the government weakening mainstream politics in dealing with the LTTE. She said that despite the fact that she had the most powers as head of government, state and cabinet as well as commander in chief she was encountering difficulties. " I have tried and continued to try 100%," she said referring to co-habitation.

"I am abused morning, noon and night by the so called free media controlled by the government." Although many discussion have been with the PM on the issue nothing has been done "practically".

The President said that in cabinet she was accused of carrying a bomb "three times by a cabinet minister in a loud voice " but now the PM denies it happened."

Neverthless she admitted that "the LTTE must be having a good laugh" at the dissension within the cabinet.

The National Consultation on Reconciliation expects to facilitate the widest possible dialogue and discussion with individuals and organisations ‘to heal the wounds of close upon two decades of civil conflict’, according the Presidential Secretariat.

President Kumaratunga yesterday said that feedback received though the process would be communicated to the government.

"We intend to put it all together and present it to the government and the country and amongst those who are actually and directly involved in the peace process,".

She said that it was a pity that the first attempt at reconciliation in 1995 ‘died out’. "I think it is high time we begin a similar process in a different and newer way."

"I informed the cabinet that I will not hamper, hinder or obstruct the process begun by cabinet and that we don’t intend to behave in the way the opposition behaved for seven long years," she said .

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs made the introductoru remarks Advisor to the President Ethnic Integration, Anura Bandaranaike made the final address at the event.

-The Island -