Peace in Sri Lanka

A team from the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process recently visited the Wanni and the Omanthai checkpoint in response to worries conveyed by citizens groups and the business community. Since the movement of goods was restricted, there was a danger of prices rising to unacceptable levels, and social and economic activity being restricted.

With the assistance of UN Operations, which has been trying to assist with technical assistance, SCOPP has initiated proposals for a scanner that may help with checking of vehicles. However such measures are no substitute for strict adherence to the ceasefire, and in particular the clause that forbids the movement of ‘munitions, explosives or military equipment’ into the area controlled by the other party.

In this context SCOPP is deeply concerned at the discovery of a 1000kg bomb found in Trincomalee, amidst the discovery in various places of other explosive devices. If these designs had been successfully detonated, they would have caused massive destruction, mainly of civilian lives. Ironically, the discovery in Trincomalee followed on the decision of the government, in response to requests from civil and commercial groups in the north, to rescind restrictions on fishing. In welcoming such a move, that would assist citizens with their livelihood, SCOPP urged the LTTE not to take advantage of the government’s relaxation of security measures.

Sadly, the action of the LTTE has met with no criticism by parties who otherwise express worries about humanitarian problems. SCOPP, in a recent discussion with an ambassador from a member country of the European Union, pointed out this discrepancy, and was told that, while the EU stood firm against terrorism, it could not pronounce without certainty. It was granted however that recent newspaper reports carried the confession of those involved and, since the responsibility for the bomb was now clear, perhaps more forthright criticism would be possible.

Meanwhile some members of the affected business communities have, in their discussions with SCOPP, acknowledged that LTTE operations were disrupting their efforts to supply needed goods. However, when advised to bring this to the notice of the LTTE, they said they were wary of complaining to the LTTE due to fear of reprisals.

In such a context of fear and relentless attacks on economic activity, SCOPP urges the European Community to act with a greater sense of responsibility in its efforts to minimize humanitarian problems. Though we appreciate its concern about such problems, and welcome assistance to resolve them through actions targeted at the needy, it is also important to investigate the root cause of these problems and rectify the situation. The European Union would doubtless have welcomed the decision of the government to lift restrictions on fishing, but it should therefore have condemned activities that could contribute to the re-imposition of such restrictions.

Similarly, SCOPP regrets the failure of the European Union to deal firmly with the determination of the LTTE to reject monitors from Nordic countries except those outside the European Union. SCOPP has recently asked the SLMM to rule that this rejection is in itself a violation of the CFA, and indeed a particularly grave one since, as the SLMM has indicated, it contributes to further difficulties in ensuring observance. Though the Ceasefire may be flawed, it must be supported, and it is regrettable that the EU, despite being a Co-Chair of the peace process, has allowed LTTE protests against the EU’s admirable current stand against terrorism to weaken the monitoring process.