As far the Sri Lankan ethnic problem is concerned, it’s an issue between the two parties involved. Sinhalese and the Tamil speaking people are the two parties that have to deliberate and arrive at an appropriate solution. No other force should thrust a solution on them.

International community exerting pressure to persuade both parties to sit at a negotiating table and resolve through peaceful means is understandable. But, for them to go beyond and prescribe what the solution should be and lay down parameters for the Talks tantamount to undue interference.

The international community has dared to lay down an outline for the solution for the reason that it has been frustrated by the lack of progress in the talks.

Norway facilitators have flawed by reflecting this unhealthy trend of the international community. They have, by suggesting solutions, gone beyond their role as facilitators. They attempt to be judges on the issue. By paving a way to such interference by the international community, they have in a way contributed for the disruption of the peace talks once again.

It was Norway’s role that permitted the international interference that resulted in the stalemate of the peace talks during the period of Ranil Wicremasinghe’s government.

The inaugural speech delivered by Minister Eric Solheim on behalf of the Norway facilitator reflected the trend of international interference. He stressed that the international community is of the view that the talks should be addressed on the basis of the following three issues

• The humanitarian crisis that affects the people who are victims of the ethnic issue must be resolved urgently.
• All military activities should be stopped and the legal system of providing non-liability to murderers should be abolished.
• The talks should proceed towards a political solution.

Having said that, he stressed that there is a wide consensus among the international community regarding the basis of the process talks. He added that international has identified the following four points on which the negotiations should proceed.

• The talks should be a continuation of the earlier talks and on the basis of the decisions already arrived at. It should be based on the commitment to the full implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
• The solution must be on the basis of the Oslo Declaration of 2002 and must meet the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils, Muslims and other communities.
• The solution must recognize the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.

Although they appear to be just and healthy views, it is clear that it is an interference of the international community and that it denies the parties to the conflict to find a solution exercising their independence.

It is the position of the Tamils that no force should interfere in the Tamil people determining their own destiny. In fact, they taught a lesson to India on this issue by making a lot of sacrifices.

If Norway becomes an instrument in the hands of the international community to pursue such interference, then the efforts of Norway facilitators will fail.

An English translation of the Editorial in Uthayan, a Tamil daily, based in Jaffna

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