UNP calls for talks with LTTE

The main opposition in Sri Lanka has called upon the government to restart talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
The United National Party (UNP) said the current conflict with the LTTE destroys thousands of lives.
Speaking to journalists in Colombo, opposition leader of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council (SPC), Ranjan Ramanayake, commended UNP leader for starting a peace process with the Tigers at a time there was only minimal loss of life.
Maj Gen Janaka Perera
The popular actor and the member of the UNP Working Committee accused the government of "taking revenge even from the battlehardened soldiers" for maintaining a view against the government policy.
Maj Gen Perera and 27 others were killed in a suicide blast on Monday
The remains of Maj Gen Janaka Perera were sent away from Ratmalana airport after keeping it for nearly four hours on Friday, he said.
The government was earlier accused of not helping to airlift Gen Perera's remains to Anuradhapura despite pledges from the Prime Minister.
Maj Gen Perera, a former chief of staff of Sri Lanka Army and the opposition leader of North Central Provincial Council, was killed in a suicide bomb blast in Anuradhapura on Monday.
Death threats
UNP on Thursday said the party has serious doubts over the young person who blasted the bomb killing 28 people and injuring more than 80 others.
The UNP is trying to whitewash the Tamil Tigers

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella
Police accused the Tamil Tigers but the UNP says the government should take the responsibility as Gen Perera was not provided with security despite repeated requests.
Ranjan Ramanayake who sustained injuries during the election campaign accused the government of putting his life also in danger by not providing security.
The government is yet to provide official vehicles, office and security to SPC opposition leader despite repeated threats, he said.
'Supporting LTTE'
Defence Affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella accused the UNP of trying to gain a political advantage over the death of Gen Perera.
He told BBC Sandeshaya that there is no opposition leader position for the provincial councils according to 13 amendment.
“The UNP is trying to whitewash the Tamil Tigers,” he said.( BBCSinhala)