New Delhi
12 February 2007
"Today ceasefire is officially there but we have a de facto military conflict [in Sri Lanka]. Bombs are going off from time to time, killing large numbers of people. I [can be] frank [that] the only forward is for the SAARC to play a political role in resolving conflict," she told this newspaper on the sidelines of Rotary South Asia Goodwill Summit 2007 in New Delhi. She said that the SAARC charter has not been implemented fully.
On the situation in her country, Ms Kumaratunga said, "[It] requires a government that is honest and truly committed for resolving problems through negotiations." In an oblique reference to the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, she said, "I do not know about the regime today [but] we have had governments that did not believe in [negotiating through dialogue]."
"I believe the first serious opening for negotiations [came during my presidency] but extremists on the Simhala side opposed it [despite the fact that] they had a five per cent vote. The Supreme Court made it difficult for us to implement by putting restrictions on the accord and my presidency ended," she recalled.
Ms Kumaratunga is expected to meet with President APJ Abdul Kalam during her stay in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has told the BBC that his government's peace pact with the LTTE was a mistake. He expected India to be more sensitive and support Sri Lanka in its efforts to help solve the conflict in the country.
"India is the closest country to Sri Lanka; it's the main country. There's a very close relationship where the culture, people and traditions are well connected. With the prevailing situation, India should be more sensitive. I would like to remind people that India has learnt lessons from Sri Lanka, and solved the problem in Nepal. That is why I think and I believe India can still play a major role in this issue, as compared to any other country," he has said.
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