South Asia Monitor: Can Sri Lanka Turn Away from War? - July 5, 2006

July 7, 2006

A series of terrorist attacks and reprisals in Sri Lanka have completely undermined the landmark 2002 Oslo ceasefire agreement and reduced what was previously a delicate cease-fire to a state of half-war and reduced any chances of a resumption of peace talks. The current situation remains especially dangerous because of the precarious positions of both sides of the conflict; on one hand, in spite of a stated commitment to peace, recently elected President Rajapakse remains constrained by his alliances to Sinhala nationalist parties, and on the other hand, the LTTE has been unwilling to return to the negotiating table in light of waning international support. Rajapakse's backchannel truce offer, however, offers some hope of true return to ceasefire. Only time will tell whether this truce really acts as a catalyst for an earnest return to ceasefire and eventually peace talks.