It is regrettable to note that the responses from Sri Lanka to the statement issued by the Co-chair countries is not encouraging and that there are no signs of any improvement in the immediate future.

As a result of recent armed conflicts in the North-East, thousands of people have died and more than two hundred thousand people have been displaced. There is an urgent need for humanitarian mission. Co-chair countries have warned that if both parties fail to stop the war and strive to find a political solution, then the support of the international community will dwindle. This statement also assured that the international community will support the efforts of Norway and the SLMM.

The reference made in the statement that the co-chair countries welcome the desire expressed by both the government and the LTTE to Norway that they are prepared for unconditional talks has been condemned by the Sri Lankan government.

The Presidential Secretariat of the Sri Lankan government has stated that the date and the venue for talks had been decided without any consultation with the Sri Lankan government and that it was wrong to have made such an announcement without consulting them.

We are of the view that such unrestrained response by a responsible government over matters of talks for peace do not appear to be an appropriate conduct. There is strong condemnation from the South too. If the government fails to appreciate the sprit in which the Co-chair have issued the statement, then it can be detrimental to our country.

Besides the negative response of the government, the allies of the government such as JVP and JHU have come out strongly against the joint statement and have publicly stated that they are confident that the government will not dare to go against the stand of these two parties.

It is apparent that the political atmosphere is not conducive enough for the promotion peace.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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