President said attack on Navy craft 'had all the hallmarks of the LTTE'

A statement issued by the government said that the President, who met the ambassadors of Japan, the US, the EU and Norway (the co-chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference on Sri Lanka) on Monday, said that the attack on a Sri Lankan naval vessel on Saturday which killed 13 naval personnel "had all the hallmarks of the LTTE”.

Co-chairs appreciation

He said that while the government remained committed to the ceasefire agreement, the LTTE was abusing the government’s restraint and had "progressively escalated offensive terror operations."

The Ambassadors of the co-chairs, the statement said, “expressed their strong appreciation of the restraint and responsibility” shown by the government in the face of escalating attacks by the LTTE.

President Rajapaksa also said that any abuses by the security forces would not be tolerated, and he told the co-chairs that an investigation was underway into the recent deaths of five students in Trincomalee.

All-party conference

Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa and the representatives of political parties have agreed to meet once again on 19 January to discuss a all-party approach to the peace process.

In a meeting with the representatives, the president has sought support from the political parties to establish peace in the island nation.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), United National Party (UNP), Peoples Liberation Front (JVP), Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF), and representatives from the Peoples Alliance (PA) have attended the meeting.