NEW DELHI, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- Sri Lanka's main opposition -- United National Party (UNP) -- Monday alleged that the government's decision to annul the ceasefire had benefited the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), weakened the country and alienated the international community, including neighbour India.
"This decision of President Mahinda Rajapakse has weakened Sri Lanka both internationally and domestically. It benefits only the LTTE's aspirations for a separate state," the UNP said in a statement at Colombo today.
"Friendly countries such as the US, Japan and India as well as the UN have voiced their strong disappointment and disapproval of the current situation. Many donor countries are of the same view," the statement said.
"The military support to Sri Lanka from the US, India and the UK symbolised the international community's faith in the ceasefire agreement and their backing for the ongoing peace initiative," the UNP said. "It is clear that not only have the blood-thirsty and war-mongering rulers of this country lost touch with reality but they do not have the capacity to learn from past experiences -- both internationally or locally," the UNP said.
"President Rajapakse should explain to the people of Sri Lanka why he was abandoned the framework for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in the country," the party asked. (end) dr.rk KUNA 071407 Jan 08NNNN