We hope there will be a peace at last !! when people respect the other !! there will be a peace and we need the law and order in the country and when people obey this there will be a peace!!

The third round of peace talks is going on. Hopefully we will get better news than from the LTTE heroes celebrations. "A civilian who received injuries after he was beaten by LTTE for his refusal to engage in LTTE decoration activities, was admitted to the

BATTICALOA hospital on 25 November 2002. House attacked for non-payment

of money A group of 15 people, who had decorated VAVUNIYA town in connection with LTTE's heroes day, have forcibly entered the residence of (VDPO) on 30

November 2002 and damaged his personal belongings for non- payment of some money to them. How can peace been achieved?

The peace process is growing with good facts on rebuilding the country and getting international support. I wish you both Srilankan Government and LTTE for the advancement in resovling the manyyears conflict. and we want resetel in peace, development and democracy in the country. and we want remove those criminaland violencial from tamil singhalese and muslim people. and solve the all part problems and need. we want a permant peace in the Country.

tahnk you.

All the parties involved in the process had done an excellent job despite many road blocks . But it is equally important to get the main opposition parties , the muslim community and other tamil parties actively involved in the process other than the LTTE to find a lasting solution. We must also not ignore the multi ethnic composition of the Eastern Province .

Its about time that this terrible problem was sorted out once and for all. The amount of money that has been waisted on this war is disgusting. Think of what the government could have done with allthe extra war taxes they claimed. If Sril Lanka does not grab this opportunity with both hands. The island will no longer cease to be- in the eyes of the

international community.

I wish all luck and peace in SL.

Long live peace!

Regards

Rauf Hakeems return from Oslo proves, that for him party politics is more important than solving the longstanding etnic conflict between Singalese, Tamils and Muslims. This is the main reason for Sri Lankas political desaster. If the PA had good ideas it was opposed by the UNF, if the UNF has good ideas it is opposed by the PA. Loosers are always

the Tamil people, because they try to make aliances with the majority party to be present in the government. Now the time for the UNF Government to form an aliance with PA and TNA for national consolidation for peace.

Over 65,000 lives claimed for a war which was never won by either side is a crime against humanity. At least the current peace process puts a pause to the number of deaths, and succesful peace talks will put a complete end to the number of unnecessary deaths. Let us all pray for this current peace process to be a success, pray for those who served both sides, and pray for the people who are against this peace process ( in anyway), that they would change their views.

Question 1:

We the public needs to clearly understand if there is actually an ethnic conflict, what those conflicting issues are and who these ethnic communities with ethnic issues are before we jump into offering solutions to a community or to a conflict that may not exist.

Question 2:

If we are negotiating an ethnic issue, aren't we not going to invite all other communities to the table?

Question 3:

Who is representing the Sinhala people in par with Dr. Anton B. who appeared to be fully clued-up with his a homeland concept and unique problems of the Tamil communities.

I think the Eelam court is something that south will note with negativity. It is good to give peace making process a space. Any derailment will cost peace a great deal. LTTE leadership cannot make threats like what they did a few days ago.

Why LTTE favours the Canandian model and not the Swiss model.The canandian model of fedeation has one french speaking province, and several english speaking provinces.

The french provice is a trouble province, and had several times tried to split from canada by democratic means.Therefore the aim of the LTTE is clear, first a confederation, and then the split. The Swiss model, would mean a division of N and E provinces, into confederation with provinces making up mixed comunities. In the north the tamils would

have the majority but not in the east. Therefore the Swiss model is not adquate for the LTTE.

Congratulations, we wish the GoSL and LTTE all sucess,A big thank you from all mothers of Sri lankafor the historic achievments in OSLO today

we must thank our priminister for his genuine actions towards peace, after the election we thought he couldn't be any different , its all just the election gimmics. not only me the whole international media thought that too. and we are are surprised how the peace process are moving. and i would like to thank Prof Peris he is Great negotiator so Anton balasingham. and its in their hand to produce the long lasting peace for the many genarations to come. i would like to ask all extreemist parties and JVP supporters to think and support this peace process.

I think the economic progress of the country will play a vital role in the success of the peace process. Unless there is some degree of economic prosperity, the opponents of the peace process will exploit public frustration and disrupt the talks. Hence, the government must ensure that the benefits of the "peace dividend" percolates to the lower segments of our people

Nelson Mandela fought against the racist south african regime to free his people. Finally God sent his messenger in the form of DeKlerk to see the injustice committed against the black people and to give freedom to Nelson Madela fisrt and to the whole black people. Pirabaharan fought against Sri Lankan governments to free Tamils. God sent his messenger in teh form of Ranil. Wait and see. This is not process deviced by humans. This is the answer to prayers by millions of his people for many years.Thank you Ranil. Thank you LTTE.

GOSL should make more effort to make aware the public, specially the people at rural areas about the progress of the peace process. I wish every sucess to GOSL.

Thumps up for both LTTE & GOSL to agree a solution to Tamil problem via federalism. I hope the president and the opposition parties will support the landmark agreement.

As a Sri Lankan I wish that the efforts taken by both parties should bring a prosperous situation where everybody should live happily

Wish u all the best of this Peace Talk.

"CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU "

I am a tamil from Jaffna living in Paris wish the THE NEGOTIATORS of UNITED LANKA for their great arrival of reaching a GREAT SOLUTION for the all people in PARADISE of Indien Ocean.I think in few years "UNITED LANKA" will become like

"Singapore" , "Japon" even better than"United States".I wish to my homeland to be a peacefull & beautifull country in the comming years.I wish also the two leaders of our NATION for good health for ever. Thanking you again for great achivement.

In Oslo peace talks, encouraging observation is that there was abundant love for one another, willingness to forgive the painful past and readiness for reconciliation. This is nothing but a reflection of the good attitudes currently prevailing amongst most Sri Lankans. It is therefore very appropriate for Sri Lankans, during this Christmas season,

to remember with gratitude, the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrate it, as it is He who brought and is able to bring peace through love forgiveness and reconciliation.

I as an Sri Lankan am very pleased with the progress of the peace process in Sri Lanka and would like to offer my prayers and support for same. At the same time I would like to tell the Govt and authorities to forge ahead without any fear of the disgrunteled elements (PA and the murderous JVP) who are out to destroy our country.

Ranil Wikremasinghe may be Sri Lanka's bravest primeminister, but Velupillai Prabhakaran remains a wanted terrorist whose hands are stained with the blood of innocents. The Sri Lankan premier has caged and leashed the Tamil tiger single handedly and victory is on the horizon for the Sri Lankan nation. The Sinhalese have once again smashed an attempt to divide the nation by chauvinistic minority elements. Congratulations Mr Wikremasinghe, all true Sri Lankans thank you for defeating and annihialating terrorism. May peace reign in our motherland!

I am pleased with the out come of the talks in Norway. A Fedral System of Government would be a solution to our conflict. Such a system of government must be available to the whole Country. If not it would fail. Their has to be with it a degree of autonmy frm the centre, the ability to raise Taxes,pass legislationeven have a Judicial system with apeals to the suprme Court and administrative refoms. Do all this and a Fedral system will be succesful in Sri Lanka. We have to get it right from the outset.

Good Luck,

I am absolutly wellcome this peas prosses

As a Sri Lankan living abroad - i can only to say to everyone at home, our hopes, dream and wishes are with you every step as you progress our country towards peace - the goal of every enlightened civilisation and its peoples. Being both Tamil and Sinhalese, I rejoice at the thought of a united country -ready to face the world as one. Please know that those of us send every breath of hope your way. Live Lanka!

In the peace process there needs to be an unmitigated thought. When our soldiers put their life down, the blood that poured cried for one mother land. Let there be no curse from the dead.

My name is Roger and my wife was born in Sri Lanka as well as her mother and so on. Her Grand fathers last name was Gray operating a large tea plantation. My concern is what I read of the Tamil Tigers making a deal with the Government of Sri Lanka in Norway. To agree to anything they desire costing your country the giving up of land,

money, etc., is rewarding the evil for their efforts. Easy for me to say this seeing I have not under gone the loss the people of your country have. I desire you stay strong in not rewarding evil. Thank you have a beautiful country and history.

Its the first time in 20 years that I fully have confidence that the present government will bring about Peace in Sri Lanka. I hope sincerely that this time the Sinhalese folk wont display their Chauvaunist style and derail this Peace initiative taken by a few Politicians.

Secondly, I feel that C. Kumaratunga and all her corrupted partners in Politics together with many of her relatives like Ratwattes should be brought to Justice and sent behind bars for the rest of their lives for all the misery they have brought upon this Island. Is their Justice in Sri Lanka ?

I pray that your land finds a true and lasting peace.

Soon Srilanka will be a federation of a Tamil and a Singalese state. Now models are studied from diffrent coutries. I hope they will also study countries where this model did not work, just to name a few: Yugoslavia, Soviet-Union, Checheniya, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, China-Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea. What was the reason for its

failure? Nationalism. Tendency of growing tamil nationalism are clear after the recent festivals held in NE. This will lead to growing singhala nationalism, the result will be the Czek-Slovak model. Seperation into 2 independent states. Fight tamil nationalism for the sake of an united SriLanka!!

Congratulations. The web site is professionally done. The experience that I have with web sites in Sri Lanka are they are very unreliable in the conext of its design (e.g. the site can be accessed in one day, the other it is not; the links are not working; no or very little professionalisn. I am glad to see the good progress in SCOPP. Keep up good work. Good luck

Donot make a fool of yourself to let so called world experts to manage the aid.Tamils are better of managing the aid to direct when and where the greatest need rather than some investment bankers and accoutants whose sole aim is to tell you what to do and pocket

millions as fees for themself for poorly managing with no appraent result to show interms of improvement to quality of life of people in greatest need.Tamils are known as scotmen of europe for their frugal ways.

Demerge North-East and then devolve powerGuest Column by Prof. M.L.A. Cader

Refer www.sundaytimes.lk dtd 8/12/02,,this is the primary fear of muslime and sinhalese in the East. An excellent write up

i'm citizen of sri lanka at presently i'm working in k.s.a as computer operator, i'm very happy hear that sri lanka govenment and prim Ranil wickramasingeh commited to end this two decades of war. i wish them to succeed on their every attempts

Wonderful site.Proud to send this link to friends abroad.We shall certainly create a link to this site through ours "www.sarvodaya.com" Your link to Diplomatic missions abroad is not working. Please looking to that. Thanks agin for a wonderful piece of work.

Love

As a Tamil, former national of Sri Lanka currently a citizen of Australia, it is very refreshing to see the peace has finally come to the beautiful nation of Sri Lanka. The peaceful climate will not only help to restore normal functions in the North and East but also in the South and West. The benefits are enormous for all people in Sri Lanka. No more road blocks, suicide bombings and civilian casualties. It is duty for all Sri Lankans to uphold the current peace agreement and let the process begins to give all minorities equal chance.

I am very impressed with the present prime minister Hon Ranil Vickiramasinghe's effort to resolve the ethinic conflict in sri lanka. I hope all the relevant parties will take genuine effort to end this horrible war.God bless Sri Lanka.

I am a new visitor to the site, just logged in today. Looks like you guys are doing a great job with the peace process. We are Sri Lankan nationals living in the U.S. and me and my family send our good wishes for a lasting peace in our motherland. More strenght to you!!

we praise God for the peace in sri Lanka. we pray for lasting peace May the good Lord grant this peace to this nation, where all mankind can live.

The time for a new constitution to solve the problems of Sri lanka has dawned. The new constitution should embody safeguards and protection from oppression , not only of ethnic communities but also of religious groups. We should acknowledge and humbly admit the past oppression against Christians by making Sundays as working days, forcible take over of Christian schools by the state and discrimination in state employment.. No pretence whatsoever should pave way for any discrimination or oppression in the new constitution.

I hope the peace process continues successfully. But I have to disagree with people who attribute this to "god" or "jesus" - it has nothing to do with them - it has everything to do with OURSELVES. It is the effort of Ranil Wikremasinghe that is showing results and the people who voted him in. Do not take away Ranil's achievements away from him and attribute it to some imgainary "god." The federal structure will hopefully satisfy the aspirations of all Sri Lankans in a united Sri Lanka.

I am following with great interest the peace process. I was in Sri Lanka until 1984. I was the Dy General Manager of the National Water Supply & Drainage Board, Ratmalana. I left my beloved home country because of the Ethnic Violence. I am hoping for Permanent Peace and National Reconciliation.

Just an new oppression of the tamils? Tamil people have been suffering under the Singalese rule, then under EPDP practices, and now under LTTE extortion. The problem is that everybody wanted only to have the power, and nobody was interested in the welfare of the tamil people. Now the LTTE is celebrated as the hero of the talks. But meanwile their crimes go on. If they were interested in Peace, they would have agreed to a solution at the Timpu talks. But now they want the EPDP and the SLA to leave Jaffna, to to exercise their full power over tamils. Expensiv peace!!!

Finally there is a fresh hope in the tiny Island-Sri Lanka. There are some elements who oppose this peace inititative because of their political advantage. But this time their chances are no way. The entire world is behind this peace intitative. So the peace will finally land in the beautiful Island.

I welcome the ssupport given to both the waring parties by the International community. I dont understand the reason behind the restrictions of A9 usage. Except Jaffna, One can travel to any place at ant time they want. Why not for Jaffna.

This is greatest news for the whole sri lankans all over. I will back up this at any cost. If there is anything I can do pls let me know. I live in Bangladesh

Minister Tilak Marapona studies Indias Transport System. Sri Lanka needs railway links in and to the north. The peace process offered opportunities to build the devasted railway traks. But instead of just building the old traks, plans to develop the whole railway system is necessary. With the landlink to India, the Colombo Puttalam Line must be extended up to Talaimannar, along the westcost. Instead of building the Tailamannar Medavachchiya streach, a raillink Mannar-Vavunia-Trincomalee would be more beneficial. In a later period a Mannar-Jaffna link could be build along the Westcost, with a causeway built between Arialai and Poonakeri. Start the work!!!

plese make sur all we are going to benifit of peace.unfourunatily prasdent going aginst to this

Pride is ugly to the core and arrogance alongside will bring a disastrous downfall. We as Sri Lankans should learn to humbly admit our past faults and misdoings and correct them if we are to survive and progress as people of a nation. A nation is not run by magic or by a leader just because he or she is popular. A nation can survive only by instituting Godly standards to be humbly followed by the leader and ourselves, regardless of our religious faith. A nation can never succeed otherwise.

Pride is ugly to the core and arrogance alongside will bring a disastrous downfall. We as Sri Lankans should learn to humbly admit our past faults and misdoings and correct them if we are to survive and progress as people of a nation. A nation is not run by magic or by a leader just because he or she is popular. A nation can survive only by instituting Godly standards to be humbly followed by the leader and ourselves, regardless of our religious faith. A nation can never succeed otherwise.

Sea Coast Security. If the extract of Times editorial appended is correct, do you think you have to do something. If not rectify.When, if at all, will the Government and the international community open its eyes to last week's LTTE arms shipment to the East coast, the incidents against the EPDP in the Delft, the killing of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol informant in Wellawatte last week, the indecent hurry that has been displayed in scaling down the presence of the Army in Jaffna, and a host of other activities over this last year which are entirely inconsistent with Anton Balasingham's professed statements on the peace circuit for public consumption.

‘Scared responsibility' statement by army chief made me to think, if the army would have done their sacred job in the past, the present situation wouldn't have arisen. The SL government is not dealing with an angel on the matter of peace. If this process is genuine then both party has to swallow their pride and trust each other. Government should have a

plan to establish control, if the process fails but it shouldn't be visible and frustrate the current peace process. No surprise the disruptive CBK cut short her holidays to take advantage of the situation.

It is with great hope that I send this message of congratulations to all of the people who are involved in trying to to bring peace to our motherland.I ho pe the roots of the tree of peace will take good hold of the good earth of Sri lanka and grow and grow until all communities in Lanka can rest under its shade in harmony.

It's a great relief to all peace loving citizens of our country that after such long spell of Destruction and Devastation,the concerned parties are talking for a ngotiated settlement. Any agreement should reflect the aspirations of all the communities, based on Fundemental, Human and Democratic rights. God bless our beautiful Motherland.

To steer an ethnically hatefull war torn nation towards PEACE is a herculean task.Today we stand together in the realisation that love and peace will bring us prosperity. Prime Minister Ranil has so very graciously commented that the award given to him by PMD as 'Sri Lankan of the Year' should be awarded to the 'People of Sri Lanka'.It is well said and we as a nation should highly respect him and commend him for these words.With our Prime Minister's guidance let us hold this fragile commodity 'PEACE' in our hands and go forward into the New Year.Its now in OUR hands.

Thankyou

I wish there will be peace again.