New Zealand Expresses Regret over Sri Lanka’s unilateral Ending of CFA

New Zealand Expresses Regret over Sri Lanka’s unilateral Ending of CFA

Jan 17, 2008, 00:15 Digg this story!

Wellington - New Zealand’s Duty Minister Rick Barker, expressed regret over the Sri Lanka’s decision of unilateral abrogation of the internationally supported, Norway inspired, February, 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL).

He said through a Media Statement that, New Zealand is concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in Sri Lanka and the very serious implications for the civilian population.

"New Zealand is concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in Sri Lanka and the very serious implications for the civilian population," Mr Barker said.

"Already this year, there have been three attacks in the capital of Colombo, with one bomb killing a Sri Lankan Government deputy minister".

"In this context, the decision by Sri Lanka to withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement and the subsequent termination of the work of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission is regretted," Mr Barker said.

“The withdrawal from the agreement is a negative signal."

“New Zealand reiterates its call for both parties to end hostilities and return to the negotiating table in order to work towards a durable, political solution to the conflict.

“We also call on all sides to respect human rights and humanitarian law. It is the only real way for Sri Lanka to move forward,” Mr Barker said.

Violence and killings escalated ever since the announcement of the unilateral termination of the CFA by the Sri Lanka, and most people expect the crisis situation in Sri Lanka to worsen.

Sri Lanka also send back home the only international monitors, Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) who were monitoring the peace in Sri Lanka and reporting the situation to the world. The Sri Lankan military leadership was trying to go ahead with major offensives, including bombardments on Vanni, likely to cause heavy civilian casualties, into the Vanni. The 6-years-old ceasefire expired yesterday.

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