Opinion - News Analysis   

A crisis and an opportunity in Sri Lanka

B. Muralidhar Reddy

The SLMM report, detailing the violations of the ceasefire agreement by the LTTE and the Government, underlines the need for a speedy return to the dialogue table.

THE LATEST ruling by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), on the major violations of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) by the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam from July 22 to September 26, throws light on the growing humanitarian crisis in the island nation.

It squarely blames the LTTE for creating a situation, by closing the Mavil Aru sluice gates on July 22, that led to a major military offensive by the Government. However, the SLMM seems to suggest that having completed a successful operation, the Government is in no mood for talks now.

The SLMM ruling particularly makes sad reading coming as it does nearly three weeks after the September 12 declaration in Brussels of the Co-Chairs of Sri Lanka announcing the willingness of both parties to return to the dialogue table "unconditionally." Implied in the readiness conveyed by the two parties to resume talks was the commitment to cease hostilities. Yet, as if not taking chances, the Co-Chairs, reflecting the sentiments of the 58-odd donor countries, had appealed to all the parties concerned to put a stop to the violence and pave the way for meaningful negotiations.

This appeal does not seem to have made the desired impact. At least not yet, despite Colombo's confirmation that it had received "positive signals" from the LTTE leadership on resumption of the stalled talks, albeit on the Government's terms.

Terrible impact

The impact of the hostilities on ordinary citizens is difficult to imagine. Says the newly appointed SLMM chief, Maj. Gen. Lars Solvberg: "As a result of these actions over 200 civilians have been killed and several thousands are internally displaced creating a serious humanitarian crisis in the eastern and northern parts of Sri Lanka." Conservative United Nations estimates suggest that in the phase of unrest from April alone more than 2.25 lakh people have been rendered homeless.

Reports from Jaffna town and the Jaffna peninsula, virtually cut off from the rest of the country because of the closure of the A9 highway for nearly two months now, speak of severe food and medicine shortages. Educational institutions have been shut down and students face the threat of losing a precious academic year. A litre of petrol in Jaffna town reportedly cost Sri Lankan Rs. 500 in the second and third weeks of September.

The SLMM report noted:

"The humanitarian crisis in many areas in the North and in the East is steadily worsening with limited supplies being brought up to Jaffna and into various LTTE areas leaving thousands of people without basic necessities and paralysed economic activity. Aid agencies are in general prevented from going into LTTE areas. With the monsoon season on its way it is likely that the conditions of people in general will get worse.

"The situation in the Jaffna peninsula continues to be tense with intensified fighting between the LTTE and the security forces along the FDL [forward defence line] and a high number of assassinations and abductions. There are no indications that this will change in the upcoming week. The humanitarian situation is affected and there are indications of food, fuel and basic needs shortages, despite provisions coming in by boat. Curfew is lifted twelve hours a day in the whole area, apart from areas being closed for cordon-and-search when incidents have happened. It is expected that curfew hours will remain the same in the upcoming week.

"According to the Government Agent there are approximately 10,000 civilians who have registered to be transported by ship to Colombo via Trincomalee. The population on the peninsula seems to be pessimistic when it comes to ending the confrontations."

The growing crisis makes it imperative for the Government and the LTTE to heed the counsel from the international community and head towards the dialogue table. There is no dearth of voices within and outside the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government urging it not to let go of the military edge gained over the Tigers easily and rush into talks. But while the Tigers' military challenge should be met squarely, the misery of the thousands caught in the crossfire cannot be ignored.

As things stand, President Rajapaksa has everything going him. For the first time in the country's history, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by him, and the Opposition United National Party, have joined hands in the quest for a common approach to the country's problems. It is a tribute to the large-heartedness of Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP chief and former Prime Minister, that he has responded to the President's appeal for a common minimum programme despite provocations by the managers of the ruling party. Since the November 2005 Presidential election, the SLFP has liberally poached from the rank and file of the UNP.

Though many continue to be sceptical of the ultimate outcome, the coming together of the archrivals has had an electrifying impact on politics in the island nation. The ultra-nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, an electoral alliance partner of the SLFP, is furious.

The SLFP-UNP unity could go a long way in containing the war-mongers and in halting the campaign for a de-merger of the north and the east. There is a consensus within and outside Sri Lanka that the de-merger now could only heighten tensions and that the need of the hour for the Government is to expedite the process of resolving the ethnic conflict.

The Rajapaksa regime has the backing of the international community too in its war against the LTTE and can bank on it for any help. This is evident from a series of developments, particularly in the current year, such as the decision of the European Union to ban the LTTE and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's refusal to meet a delegation of the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance last week.

The Sri Lankan Government should make the most of the situation and respond at the earliest to the Brussels declaration on a range of issues. The LTTE should understand the futility of the politics of blood and agree to a dialogue with sincerity.

The SLMM report summarises the expectations of the world from both the parties. It says: "The SLMM would like to underline that the gravity of the violations committed have led to a dangerous escalation in hostilities... It is important that the parties realise the seriousness of the current situation and do whatever in their power to move forward instead of engaging in military confrontation."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Removing the distortions
Behind the Swedish verdict
Combating AIDS: Yunnan shows the way
A crisis and an opportunity in Sri Lanka
Language: for torture or communication?
Corrections and clarifications
A different kind of truth
Methane levels to rise again
Untrue
On madrasas
Mission admission
Versatility personified
"Globalisation will only work if the winners share with the losers"

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu