Sri Lanka's Conflict and Peacekeeping Efforts

In Sri Lanka, following the collapse of peace talks in late October 2006, the lack of commitment to serious negotiations on the part of both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has become painfully evident. Norway continues in its role of facilitator, but appears to have little leverage, especially since parts of Sri Lanka’s political establishment oppose Norwegian involvement. All signs point to continued bloodshed. The government’s 2007 budget provides for a 45 percent jump in military spending.

Meanwhile, the co-chairs of the failing peace process—the United States, Japan and the European Union, in addition to Norway—appear increasingly desperate in their efforts at conflict resolution. They are seeking greater engagement by others, including neighboring India.

Both sides to the conflict have deliberately targeted civilians, are committing grave human rights violations, and are consciously exacerbating ethnic tensions. Some 3,300 people have been killed in 2006 and more than 16,000 people fled toTamil Nadu in southeastern India.

At the beginning of this conflict in Sri Lanka, the demands of the Tamil people were for the preservation of their cultural identity, for security, participation in decision making and the exercise of their democratic and citizenship rights.
These demands were formulated within the principles of acceptance of Tamils as a Nation (distinct identity), the North-East as a homeland (a territory where there is both security and the resource base for development), and the inalienable right to self determination (an appropriate political structure that enables the exercise of the rights as well as the enjoyment of their benefits). The Sri Lankan government responded negatively

This conflict has caused a great deal of suffering on the part of the citizens where than 200,000 people were displaced by renewed hostilities during 2006. 17,000 people are still displaced by the conflict before the 2002 ceasefire agreement. According to a December 2005 estimate, 457,000 people remained displaced by the December 2004 tsunami.