U.S. official urges the Sri Lankan government and Tamil party to resume talks on political solution

The visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake today urged the Sri Lankan government and the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to resume talks on a political solution. Addressing a press conference, Blake who is concluding his three-day visit to Colombo today said
he has also urged that the Northern Provincial Council elections be held as soon as possible and encouraged an early resumption of talks between the TNA and the government to agree on powers to be devolved to the provinces. Blake said he had positive meetings with the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, leaders of the TNA, and civil society. In all his meetings he said he had discussed the need for accelerated progress to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the National Action Plan. He said he had emphasized the importance of progress in reducing the role and profile of the military in the North, and full respect for human rights. "On issues of accountability, it is our hope that three years after the end of the conflict, there can be a credible and transparent accounting, investigation and prosecution of some of the outstanding and serious allegations of human rights violations, as well as progress on the missing," he said. "Our hope remains that all Sri Lankans will be able to enjoy the same rights and dignity, and share a democratic, secure, and prosperous future," he added. -->