His Excellency Mr. Salvatore Zotta
The Ambassador of Italy
Your Excellency,
We would like to bring the following factors to your Notice
First of all we extend our gratitude to your country for being in the
forefront among the countries which readily came forward to send relief
when our country was confronted with the worst disaster it has faced in
its history when it was battered by tsunami tidal waves on 26th December
last year. According to information we have received the Hon. Prime
Minister of your country has stated that Sri Lanka’s outstanding debts
should be annulled and he would make this proposal to the other
industrial countries. We would like to extend the acclaim of our people
for this correct and humane policy of your Prime Minister.
Your Excellency,
In the meantime, news that distresses us about your country has been
published. It is that your country has taken steps to assist the LTTE to
directly manage restoration of the destruction caused by tsunami in
un-cleared areas. If this news is true, we express our displeasure at
the step your country has taken as a responsible state.
You are quite aware that Sri Lanka has been fighting against the
interests of a separatist, terrorist movement which has been trying to
create a separate state. It is not surprising that Sri Lanka, as a
sovereign and free state, would have a just struggle with any party that
would strive to partition it. It is conspicuous that, other than a small
land area in the North and the East that has not been liberated yet, the
administration in the whole country is carried out by the Government of
Sri Lanka.
The LTTE, even after this natural disaster, basing themselves on their
petit separatist outlook, has publicized a wrong notion all over the
world that the Government of Sri Lanka is not doing anything for the
distressed in the areas in the North and the East. However, anyone who
studies the facts independently would perceive that what the LTTE tells
the world is not true. In reality what the LTTE is attempting is to make
use of this catastrophe to attain their interest of a separate state. It
is with this in mind they have requested the international community to
send aid to them directly instead of sending them through SL Government.
If, disregarding even the instructions made available by SL Government,
your government has given aid directly to separatist tiger terrorists,
we have to regrettably state that you knowingly or unknowingly have
supported the separatist interests of the tiger organization.
Your Excellency,
Sri Lanka is a sovereign and independent country. As a sovereign and
independent country Sri Lanka has the prerogative to decide whether to
accept or reject any aid given by any sovereign or independent country.
Also, any aid given to Sri Lanka should be made available according to
guidelines supplied by the Government of Sri Lanka. If your government
has made available distress management aid directly to tiger
organization disregarding the guidelines made available, we express our
disappointment and detest at such an act.
However, we would like to emphasize that we would not make this
deplorable situation an obstacle to pay tribute to the statement made by
your Prime Minister.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
National Executive Council
Patriotic National
Movement
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