Government to annul CFA
- goodbye to SLMM

The government annulled with effect from Jan.2 the so-called the ceasefire agreement and the 'memorandum of understanding' (MOU) between the LTTE terrorists and the Sri Lankan State in 2002. The decision will be conveyed to the Norwegian Government and other relevant parties within 14 days in accordance with clause 4 of the CFA.

It brings an end to the 'services' of the so-called Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission which was little more than a scarecrow during this period. The SLMM - staffed with Scandinavians - rarely condemned the Tigers' ceasefire violations. Instead they were more interested in finding fault with the Security Forces and the Government.

The agreement was signed by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Tiger 'Supremo' Velupillai Prabhakaran alias the self-styled Sun God. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga was informed of the CFA only at the last minute. The agreement gave the LTTE the idea that it was a legitimate organization and began imposing customs duties and other taxes on those using the A-9 road. At the same time the LTTE backed out of peace talks on several occasions giving flimsy excuses and violated the CFA an umpteen number of times. The so-called peace that prevailed at the time gave LTTE cadres grand opportunity to enter government controlled areas and assassinate at will members of the State's intelligence services.