The EU deeply regrets the Sri Lankan Government's decision to abrogate the ceasefire agreement concluded with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2002. This decision and the current military campaign further deteriorate the country’s already difficult situation, including the humanitarian and human rights situation. Without the ceasefire agreement prospects of negotiating a lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka are narrowed further. The EU particularly regrets that the work of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission will be terminated.
The EU has been similarly concerned by LTTE acts of terror in recent months and statements promising further violence from their side. The EU urges both parties to put an end to all hostilities and avoid further escalation.
The EU calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to come forward with a substantive devolution offer around which negotiations can start, as soon as possible. For an arrangement to serve as a feasible basis for negotiations, it needs to go beyond past offers and the EU urges both parties to work towards a solution that would bring a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict.
