OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 026 (02/19/04)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000273 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/14 TAGS: AMGT CE MV SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 026 (02/19/04) Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). CONTENTS: LOCAL REACTION TO FEB 17 CO-CHAIRS MEETING SRI LANKA CAMPAIGN NUGGETS MALDIVES RECEPTION LOCAL REACTION TO FEB 17 CO-CHAIRS MEETING -------------- ¶1. (C) You will see our front-channel today regarding reaction to February 17 Co-chairs meeting. Media reaction is just beginning to flow in: it has been fairly straightforward with little commentary as of yet. Political contacts and local observers were generally upbeat. We will provide more reaction in a separate media play cable later. (POL) SRI LANKA CAMPAIGN NUGGETS -------------- ¶2. (C) FYI. Here are the latest nuggets regarding the April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- Fierce arguments continue within the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) between party leader V. Anandasangaree and pro-Tiger elements. We are not sure where this is headed, but with nominations only being accepted until Feb. 24 something has got to give soon. If pro-Tiger TULF members are not allowed to contest the election under the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) umbrella (Anandasangaree does not like the pro-LTTE TNA and says he won't agree to run under that banner),it seems possible that they may run under the name, "Federal Party." This would leave Anandasangaree as the only candidate under the TULF name. -- Ronnie de Mel, a senior MP in the President's People's Alliance, appears committed to remaining with the party despite media reports that he would defect to the PM's United National Party. -- During brief remarks made during the opening of a school in her home district of Gampaha, President Kumaratunga struck a moderate tone on the peace process. She indicated that her party would work hard with the LTTE and not do anything to incite or provoke the group into another armed conflict. The President went on to say that she was focused on helping the LTTE become a democratic, political entity. (POL) MALDIVES RECEPTION -------------- ¶3. (U) Appreciate the go-ahead. The timing is good for making some timely points. (DCM) LUNSTEAD