Representatives of the United States, European Union, Japan and Norway, the Co-chairs of Sri Lanka donors, met in Brussels on 12 September 2006 to discuss the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka. The statement issued after the meeting is worth analyzing to gain insights into the perceptions of the international community on the war-like conditions in the Island.

Adverse Situation

Being "deeply alarmed" by the recent "deliberate" violations of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the LTTE, the Co-chairs observed that the "escalated violence has resulted in massive and widespread human suffering, including the abuse of human rights, the widespread displacement of innocent citizens, a humanitarian crisis and an exodus of refugees to India." They condemned "the numerous violations, such as the disappearance and feared killings of large number of Muslims in Mutur, the murder of 17 aid workers from the French NGO Action Contre la Faim, the claymore attack on a civilian bus in June (2006) and the bombing of the school in Mullaitivu in August." In this regard, the Co-Chairs sought "guarantees for the safety of NGO workers and for ensuring access for NGOs and international organizations to help citizens and communities in need of essential humanitarian assistance and valuable reconstruction and development work." They cautioned: "Failure to ensure safe working conditions of NGOs could result in the withdrawal of some international NGOs and their funding from Sri Lanka, which would be extremely detrimental to the situation of all Sri Lankan citizens in the concerned areas." The Co-chairs also exhorted both parties to "guarantee safety of media representatives, civil society activists and religious leaders and ensure true freedom of expression." They were concerned that "even major cases of human rights abuses are not [being] successfully investigated or prosecuted" by the State. Overall, the donors appealed to both parties to "stop further violations of the fundamental principles of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights."

Despite this appeal and warning that not heeding their advice would "lead the international community to diminish its support", violence continues unabated, sponsored by both GOSL and LTTE. A similar appeal was made by the Co-chairs in June 2006, but in vain. This clearly shows that the situation is either beyond the control of both parties or they are not interested in de-escalating the violence. It also reveals the limitation of external pressure. The LTTE is proscribed in two (United States and EU) out of the four Co-chair members, but they have no leverage on the Tigers. Norway is facing opposition from the GOSL for its facilitation. And Japan is not taken seriously by both parties.

"Unconditional Talks"

While welcoming the "unconditional talks offer" by the GOSL and the LTTE, the statement called for immediate renunciation of violence, and revealed that peace "talks would take place in Oslo in October". It is surprising, however, that both parties agreed to talk "unconditionally". While the GOSL denied having made this offer, the LTTE is insisting on the government halting the current offensive and its forces withdrawing to their February 2002 ground position, apart from implementing the CFA in toto, for commencing any future negotiations. The GOSL, in fact, criticized Norway for making such a "unilateral" announcement on behalf of the Co-chairs. Norway should have consulted GOSL before making this announcement, but given Colombo's long-stated position of being "ready for talks any time without any conditions", Oslo might have assumed its willingness to continue the talks.

Path to Peace

The Co-chairs rightly observed that the "political challenges of the (Sri Lankan) North and East cannot be resolved through war." They urged the parties "to resume negotiations and show real political commitment to achieve a political solution based on the previous six rounds of negotiations [held between September 2002 and March 2003]." Such a political settlement must accommodate the "legitimate interests and aspirations of all communities." While insisting that the "LTTE must abide by all agreements and renounce terrorism and violence" the Co-Chairs emphasized that the "government must ensure its military abides by the Ceasefire Agreement and implements the pledges from the Geneva meeting in February 2006." They encouraged the moderate forces on all sides and the civil society to "continue to play a major role in promoting and supporting a peaceful solution to the conflict."

The roadmap for peace drawn up by the Co-chairs was reflected in their previous statements. What is new is the emphasis on the role of moderate political forces and civil society in the settlement, which is an idea worth pursuing. What is also required is that the two main Sinhalese parties - UNP and SLFP - arrive at a 'southern consensus' on the ethnic question.