Rajiva Wijesinha

“ We hope that reactions to what has happened to Mr Puleedevan will convince all those who want peace, and to participate in a pluralistic democratic dispensation, that they should even now work towards moving the LTTE away from its totalitarian fanaticism. The Tamil people deserve something better, and perhaps as a prisoner Mr Puleedevan will be able to inspire change in a manner he was unable to achieve through his work. ”

“ It was an ideal instrument to use if, without any loss of face, some informal contacts were to be initiated in a context in which clearly the Tamil people in the Vanni are increasingly oppressed and resentment is rising. ”

“ Though I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I have been assured by my colleagues that Mr Puleedevan was always willing to engage. I was also told by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission that he laughed a lot, and I have always felt that a man with a sense of humour would be worth talking to. ”