Jan 04, Colombo: Both the United States and the United Nations yesterday urged for a political solution to halt the violence in Sri Lanka as the government formally announced its decision to terminate the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The US said it is troubled by the Sri Lankan government’s January 2 decision to terminate the 2002 cease-fire agreement. In a press statement, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said ending the cease-fire agreement will make it more difficult to achieve a lasting, peaceful solution to Sri Lanka’s conflict.

“We call on both the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to avoid an escalation of hostilities and further civilian casualties,” it said.

“All parties to the conflict share the responsibility to protect the rights of all of Sri Lanka’s people. We urge them to work toward the goal of a just, political solution that ensures the rights of minority communities and benefits all Sri Lankans. Only a peaceful political solution, not a military one, offers a way out of the current cycle of escalating violence,” the statement added.

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Secretary-General regrets the decision made by the government of Sri Lanka to terminate the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE.

In a statement issued yesterday Ban Ki-moon said he is deeply worried that the withdrawal from the Agreement comes amidst intensifying fighting in the North and increasing violence across the country, including Colombo.

“The Secretary-General urges all concerned to ensure the protection of civilians and enable humanitarian assistance to be provided to affected areas. He underlines the urgent need to end the bloodshed in Sri Lanka through a political solution,” the statement added.