The Sri Lankan government’s spokesperson said on Thursday, that holding talks with the LTTE in a foreign country, was “not acceptable,” but that a new venue for talks will be decided after the President returns to the island.
“Our poitison is that talks to review the cease fire agreement (CFA) should be held in Sri Lanka,” said Cabinet spokesperson Nimal Siripala de Silva.
The government and Tamil rebels agreed to sit down to review the prevailing CFA after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on August 12.
However, the two sides have still not been able to agree on a location to meet.
The LTTE was willing to meet government negotiators in the LTTE controlled northern town of Kilinochchi, but the government wanted to hold talks in Omanthe.
“Even earlier talks were held in Omanthe,” said de Silva.
“Now the latest is that the LTTE has said no to Omanthe and is saying to hold the talks abroad,” said de Silva.
-LBO Newsdesk: