Colombo (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lanka Government flatly rejected an appeal by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for unconditional talks.

Earlier, B. Nadesan, the Political Commissar of the Tamil Tigers called for an urgent ceasefire, saying the Tigers would enter negotiations with the government "without pre-conditions". He has made this appeal in an interview with the Sunday Times published from the United Kingdom.

When Asian Tribune contacted a Sri Lankan Government spokesman on the latest appeal by Nadesan, he said that this was a last minute desperate appeal to safeguard V. Prabakaran, the Leader of the LTTE and his son Charles Anthony. 

The spokesman said that both of them are trapped in the war zone and they have no place to flee. He added, "If Nadesan is interested in safeguarding his leader Prabhakaran and his son Charles Anthony, then “Let him do that by surrendering" . 

The spokesperson pointed out that after being pushed to a small strip of land, the beleaguered LTTE has offered fresh talks without pre-conditions but the Sri Lankan government has snubbed the proposal, asking the Tamil Tigers to ‘surrender’ first. 

"The Government has made it very clear that with only 20 square kilometres of land under their control and losing by the hour, the only option LTTE has before them is to ‘surrender’ so that the normal people can lead their normal life," said Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

It was further pointed out that after suffering heavy defeat and casualties, the LTTE has called for ceasefire on several occasion, but the government has continuously rejected it every time.

Courtesy: asiantribune.com