KP is now considered by the govt. as 'a partner in the reconciliation process'

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Charles Antonidas, a leader of Tamil Health Organisation (THO) said that Kumaran Pathmanathan, also known as KP, was instrumental in arranging a meeting between the Tamil disapora and the Sri Lankan government.

"We were trying to reach out to the government to discuss humanitarian issues but didn't have any success for a long time. Then suddenly when we had this opportunity we though of taking it," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

Admitting that the meeting took place, Media Minister Keheliya Rambuakwella told BBC Sandeshaya that KP is also involved in the reconciliation process.

Government admits

A group of nine representatives from the diaspora worldwide has visited Sri Lanka from 14 to 20 June.

The team has first had a meeting with KP, who was arrested in Malaysia while having a meeting in August last year and brought to Colombo.

The contact between us and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was KP. We didn't have any direct contact with the MoD Charles Antonidas

He is detained in a secret location in Sri Lanka since then. The opposition parties have accused the government of offering him luxury accommodation while ill-treating former military commander Gen Fonseka and other suspected LTTE combatants.

"The contact between us and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was KP. We didn't have any direct contact with the MoD," Mr. Antonidas told the BBC.

He said the former LTTE leader, who was also regarded as the main arms procurer for the Tamil Tigers during the conflict, is considered by the government "as a partner in the reconciliation process".

Government 'seeking fuinds'

"He has been allowed some kind of freedom to help rehabilitation of the displaced and ex-combatants," the representative added.

The diaspora representatives had met Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on the next day.

"He briefed us on reconciliation efforts and how military is collecting funds for resettlement. They were trying to tell us what the govt want us to know," he said.

Gangatharan (France), Sripathi (Germany), Mrs. Raj (Switzerland), Dr. Rubamurthy (Australia), Siva and Perindan (Canada), and Wimaladasan and Dr. Arulkumar (UK) were the other members of the delegation.

The team has requested the authorities to repeal "draconian measures" such as emergency regulations and prevention of terrorism act (PTA), saying it is an impediment bringing in normalcy after years of conflict.

"We were told that would be done at the earliest possible time but no time frame was given," he said.