Norway’s announcement last Wednesday that the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government have agreed that Switzerland would be a suitable venue for talks to stabilize the strained February 2002 ceasefire was understandably, though prematurely, greeted with international acclaim and relief by Sri Lankans of all communities.

It has been officially announced that the talks concerning the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam will commence this February in Geneva, the capital of Switzerland. There was positive anticipation in the air when Eric Solheim, the special envoy of Norway, visited Sri Lanka last week. Media news too did express the opinion that Peace negotiations related to the Tamils' national issue may begin immediately.

The continuing violence in Sri Lanka warns us of a dangerous situation that might explode into war any moment. As we witness the escalation of violence we are also aware of the views expressed against peace and in favour of violence. It is regretted to observe that the pressure exerted by certain countries of the world in the form of 'statements' only help to further complicate the inflammatory situation.

The ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers stipulated the recognition of authority and certain other allowances. But these agreed conditions have been violated by the Sinhala armed forces for long. Now this violation has turned into a full scale genocide of the Tamils.

"Unlike Indonesia Sri Lanka has failed to usher in peace. Every opportunity for rapprochement has been squandered after the Tsunami...The Sri Lankan government and the LTTE are steeped in mutual suspicion and contempt and will not arrive at any resolution on their own. A new heavy weight mediator must join Norway's Herculean but waning peacemaking efforts, one whom both parties can respect as an honest broker," said an independent analysis appeared in the Sunday online edition of "The News" of Jang Group.

Jaffna MP Pathmini Sithamparanathan, describes the stifling conditions of military rule and the deteriorating security situation. She also spoke frankly to Tamil Guardian about the politics of gender empowerment in Tamil society and the role of the diaspora in the Tamil struggle.

Military violence against women

“Women are a voiceless people, so the Sri Lankan Army can do anything. Women don’t even like to be alone in their houses, it’s not safe for them. But women are also scared to leave their houses because of the Sri Lankan Army.

A chorus of international voices have in the past few days decried the heightened violence gripping Sri Lanka’s Northeast. Calls for restraint and new talks on stabilising the fraying February 2002 ceasefire have come from key states and the international monitors overseeing the truce, amongst others. Nevertheless, the violence is continuing. There have been numerous attacks on Sri Lankan security forces and the Liberation Tigers.