EPDP’s Memorandum on the Proposed Joint Mechanism

The population affected by the tsunami is desperately in need of relief. The affected people are not only in need of regular food rations but also permanent roofs over their heads. It is more than four months past the day of the tsunami and the government has not been able to alleviate the suffering of the affected people due to obstacles placed before it by the LTTE. Only a mechanism that could overcome the various obstacles would ensure success. The mechanism should also be politically guided. The humanitarian needs of the affected population cannot be met without such a mechanism.

It is our view that there should not only be a mechanism to undertake relief and reconstruction, but that the mechanism should be such that all the affected people would be served by it. We believe that such a mechanism has to be broad-based, and ensure ethnic and political pluralism. It must also respect democratic traditions and human rights.

The Ceasefire Agreement signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE in February 2002 has accepted the control of certain areas of the North and East by the LTTE. Yet, officials of the Government of Sri Lanka do function within these areas. Furthermore, intimidatory tactics used on government officials by the LTTE also influence the work of the Government to some extent in areas of the North and East which however are recognised as areas under the control of the Government of Sri Lanka. Under these circumstances, it would be prudent to accept a role for the LTTE as well, in any Joint Mechanism to undertake Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction in LTTE controlled areas of the North and East. If that is not done, the LTTE would in all probability place obstacles in the work of the Government.

The EPDP also believe that the inclusion of the LTTE in Joint Mechanism at the National, Provincial and District levels, while ensuring political and ethnic pluralism in such mechanisms, would open a window of opportunity for the LTTE and the others to begin a dialogue that could eventually lead to a lasing solution to the national problem.