Monks in prosession

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo Venerable Omalpe Sobitha thera said that President Rajapaksha has taken a firm stand on the issue. Preventing foreign dignitaries visiting the Tamil Tigers in Kilinoachi is an indication with this reagard,said the parliamentarian.

Venerable Sobitha was referring to the recent visit of Japanese peace envoy Yakushi Akashi.

The Japanese envoy did not visit the Tamil Tigers and said that he took into account the wishes of the government.

The JHU said that it opposes former US President Bill Clinton or UN officials acting as mediators.

Asian mediator

JHU national organizer Patali Champika Ranawaka said “we need to find a mediator from Asia”

When Elmo Fernando from Sandeshaya pointed out that India has expressed its desire for Norway to continue as facilitator Ranawaka responded “we hope things will change after President Rajapaksha’s visit to India".

In response to another question on the commitment given by the Sri Lankan foreign minister while visiting India recently to devolve power within a united Sri lanka Ranawaka said that's not president Rajapaksha’s policy but the policy of India.

Ranwaka said that India needs to change its stand or else Sri lanka will have to find other alternative.