The LTTE peace secretariat said today that the decision to form the committees were taken today at a meeting in the district between Muslim representatives and Trincomalee LTTE Commandant Pathuman and the Trincomalee LTTE Political Wing Head Thilak.

The committee, which comprise of LTTE and Muslim representatives will also launch a plan of action and will work in very sensitive areas like Kinniya, Muttur, Kuchchveli, Nilaveli and Thoppur. Each committee comprises of four members, two of them representing the LTTE and the rest representing the Muslims of the area concerned.

The primary task of these committees will be to resolve conflicts wherever they prevail and to appease tensions wherever it appears and to restore peace and amity and to upkeep harmonious and healthy relations between the two communities.

The situation in the Trincomalee district has remained tensed since mid last year, after a spate of Muslim killings allegedly by the LTTE. Published: Sun Jan 4 11:57:01 EST 2004

However, even though the proposals have been approved and finalised, the SLMC is expected to meet with other community leaders within the next two weeks, to get their view on the proposal.

The party will then, following positive and negative feedback from other community leaders will draw up an Interim Constitution, which will include details of the North East Interim Administrative structure. Published: Sun Jan 4 11:39:03 EST 2004

Last week, Moragoda also met with United States, Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage and other co-chairs of the Tokyo donor conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka. Published: Sun Jan 4 10:25:52 EST 2004