"Not ready for talks" - R. Sampanthan

Political parties operating in the North and East were called for a discussion by the President.

The leader of the TNA R.Sampanthan said that he is not ready for talks until the government stops its military offensive in the Wanni region and provides adequate supplies to the people trapped in the conflict zone.

“There are about two hundred thousand people living under tarpauline and children have died due to lack of food” said the leader of the TNA.

He pointed out the government's estimate of the number of civilians trapped in the conflict zone is well below the real figure.

“The government is sending food and medicines for only sixty thousand people and its not surprising that there is a shortage when there are about two hundred thousand people in the area” said Sampanthan.

The leader of the TNA said that the government should allow UN, the Red Cross and NGOs to take part in humanitarian operations within the conflict zone.

He also said the TNA does not endorse all acts of the LTTE.

SLMC

	"Not impressed" - Rauf Hakeem

The leader of the Muslim cogress Rauf Hakeem who participateed in the talks summoned by the presidient said local elections for Jaffna was top on the agenda.

"We were not impressed because there was no disscussion on a political solution to the ongoing conflict " said Hakeem