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Featured Article: The future of Ceasefire?

Sunday, 08 April 2007

While there is a report that the government was examining the possibility of holding a referendum to determine the future of the Ceasefire Agreement, S.P.Thamilselvan, the political wing leader of the LTTE, has categorically stated that it would not re-commence peace negotiations if the CFA is abandoned. He has also warned that any abrogation of the CFA could lead to a serious war.

Meanwhile Palitha Kohana, the Director of Government Peace Secretariat has stated that he did not believe that the peace talks could be renewed on the basis of the Ceasefire Agreement.

What do we gather from those developments? The government wants to go ahead with war. As a result it hates the Ceasefire agreement. It is looking for a plausible excuse to get out of the CFA. Secondly, the news appeared in a State controlled media on the eve of President Rajapakse’s departure to India in order to feel the pulse of New Delhi administration.

It is vital to maintain a congenial atmosphere on the ground to seek a negotiated political settlement. We need to observe the Ceasefire Agreement to the letter of the law and in right sprit for a political settlement. But, the provisions of the CFA have been violated and ignored since the day President Rajapakse assumed office.

There is no need to hold a referendum and ascertain the views of the Tamil people. Their stand on the CFA is quite well known. Therefore, it is the South that has to make up its mind whether to have the CFA or not. There is nothing for the Tamil homeland to ponder upon.

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

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Neil Armstrong said:

What more evidence does the international community need?

Isn't it blatantly obvious that the Sri Lankan government has never been interested in a political solution to the Tamil ethnic question.

Isn't it high time that all of Sri Lanka's military and political leaders are hauled before international tribunals to answer charges of genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Tamil people.

International sanctions against the failed Sri Lankan state are now long overdue.

When will the international community abandon their hypocrisy and begin demonstrating some fundamental integrity?

2007-04-09 10:13:41

jay said:

Mr. Kohana, the Director of Government Peace Secretariat does not believe that the peace talks could be renewed on the basis of the Ceasefire Agreement. This clearly shows that the Srilankan government is not interested in finding a just solution and with deteriorating leadership each time they will never be able to find a just and peaceful solution.

The important thing the country needs is a mature political leader. It is very sad, from the time of independence, the country was unable to produce a leader capable of resolving its woes, be it political, economical or otherwise. Racism and the fear of one race moving ahead of the other appear to be the main reason. There are two major races, one is fearing the other because it will progress faster due to their sustainablility and work culture. The Singhala leadership is well aware of this. So from the start, they keep the progressive race suppressed and denied of their rights so that the country's wealth is only distributed to those in the south. There is no equality and no fair distribution of wealth. The leaders dont seem to have the capacity to think in a big way that if progress is achieved no matter who achieves it, it is for the benefit of all.

The country though rich in natural resources and with abundance of beautiful sights one time considered as the pearl of the Indian ocean has today become among the poorest and most backward countries in the world. The currency has weakened and the quality of life among the people have deteriorated far below compared to other countries in the region. All these are due to poor leadership.

Srilanka was once known for its education. Even that has deteriorated. So, education too has not got the better of the people in the south who could not think rationally for the benefit of the country as a whole. They choose incapable leaders (probably there are none or a handful of good leaders and these people are either not interested in politics or do not enjoy the majority support)who prefer to live by the laws of the jungle. This is so clearly evident as each time an electon is held, the quality of leadership deteriorating further and further into the slumps, the current leadership being the lowest of all.

If at all the current leadership is not capable in any way (obviously they dont have what it takes) to resolve the crisis, they should listen to International leaders or leave the matter to the UN to decide on the best course of action.
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2007-04-13 02:53:15

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