Peace Process in Sri Lanka: The Stumbling Blocks
25 Jun, 2002 · 772
SY Surendra Kumar elucidates various stumbling blocks in the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which came into effect on 23 February 2002 , outlines the conditions and rules for a permanent ceasefire. The peace talks to be held in
Thailand
have increased the expectations both inside and outside
Sri Lanka
.
Norway
and the Scandinavian countries would continue to monitor the agreement. The two sides are under obligation to give a two-week notice, if they intend to pull out of the agreement. The MOU also provides for a permanent ceasefire, which creates a better atmosphere for negotiations. Secondly, the international community has extended its full support and is closely monitoring the peace process in order to make sure that the process does not fail. Thirdly, both the parties, not only under external pressure, but also on their own have shown willingness for direct negotiations. It is noteworthy that they are effectively implementing some confidence-building measures before the talks begin in
Thailand
.
Sri Lanka
has still to go a long way in resolving a conflict which has taken 60,000 lives and four unsuccessful peace processes. Previous talks failed as both parties were inflexible, non-committal, and unprofessional. The current peace process is also faced with certain stumbling blocks. Some of them are:
Norway
. Further, they believe that the truce favours the LTTE. Moreover, they oppose the setting up of an interim-administration in the Northeast by changing the unitary character of the
Sri
Lankan
State
to a federal set-up and lifting the ban on the LTTE. Overcoming this hurdle will be a major challenge for PM Ranil Wickremesinghe since he has to involve these very groups for the success of the peace process.
The expectations are due to three reasons. Firstly, to a certain extent the MOU has rectified the shortcomings of previous peace talks held in 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1994. Further,
However, the problems are manifold.
· There is a strong opposition from President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the People’s Alliance (PA). The President, being the head of state, the cabinet, commander-in-chief of armed forces and leader of Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) and PA, has a greater role to play in the success of peace process. But her opposition is based on following grounds: (a) the President was not consulted over the final document of the agreement; (b) the truce is a threat to country’s sovereignty as it allows the head the of monitoring mission to decide and demarcate the territory of the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army controlled areas; (c) the President has not been given a sufficiently important role in the peace process; (d) a permanent ceasefire is a hindrance, as the peace process may go on for a long time without any positive outcome.
· The LTTE also does not want Chandrika to play a greater role in the peace process, as their relationship is at an all time low and the former has always blamed her military policy for the failure of the previous talks.
· The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Buddhist Clergy’s strong opposition to the truce is a big hindrance to the peace process. Both have been organizing demonstrations against the truce in the Sinhala dominated areas. They have termed the truce as “Greatest Betrayal” accusing the government of turning the country into a ‘colony’ of
· The Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE have a track record of violating the cease-fire. The current peace process has already experienced their mutual divergence on various issues. Reports have indicated that the LTTE is still very much involved in arms smuggling. Moreover, the Sri Lankan government has charged the LTTE of re-arming itself during the ceasefire, recruiting children and extorting money on a large scale, especially from the Muslim community. The LTTE, on the other hand, has charged the Sri Lankan Navy for destroying several fishing vessels. And they have even accused the Sri Lankan government of not implementing the ceasefire effectively. The main charges pertain to the continued presence of the armed forces in places of worship and schools, the Air Force carrying out surveillance of LTTE held areas in the north using unmanned aerial vehicles and the provocative role of the Sri Lankan Navy. All these charges and counter charges of violations over ceasefire, diminish the prospects of the peace process. Resolving these contentious issues would certainly not be an easy task.
The success of this peace process is dependent on overcoming the aforesaid stumbling blocks. The PM has to address these stumbling blocks before the talks begin in
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