The govt. decision to abrogate the Ceasefire agreement and its implications
January 3rd, 2008
By Jeevan Thiyagarajah
The Information released last night of a reported cabinet decision to annul /withdraw from the Ceasefire agreement was one which causes profound sadness. It is well known that the ceasefire did bring dividends. The dividends when written in August 2003 included:
Physical security improved greatly since hostilities have ceased, and thousands of deaths, injuries and casualties were averted;
Access to movement of goods and services greatly improved for all communities and all people living in Sri Lanka;
Economic activity rejuvenated particularly in the country as a whole. Lifting of the economic embargo made it possible for a greater variety of products and services accessible to the people in th North and East;
Humanitarian agencies gained increased access to vulnerable populations, and relief and rehabilitation activities expanded substantially;
Out of the approximately 800,000 registered Internally Displaced Persons, over 300,000 persons returned to their homes and started to re-establish their livelihoods and resumed normal living.
Sri Lanka received financial support from the international community to an unprecedented magnitude in Sri Lanka’s history. In fact it was approximately one and a half the annual average of the past (e.g. $ 750 million to $ 1.3 million)
The GoSL and LTTE established mechanisms like SLMM where the ceasefire in all its elements was to be reviewed.
In June of 2002 the GoSL through a cabinet decision approved the Framework for Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation in which there was express mention of avoidance of embargoes and similar restrictions which would otherwise negate access for services, goods and people, other than what was deemed to be of material value to wage war.
The GoSL under Presidents Kumaratunge and Rajapaksa have had direct transactions with the LTTE. These transactions were in the context of giving effect to the CFA as well as to induce recovery activities.
The relationship had its ebbs and flows. Indeed it would be the case in any recovery from war and conflict. As was famously said once, the conflict was only frozen. The danger of melting was ever present. Melt it has.
What is at stake? The dividends referred to earlier will in addition to what was achieved since 2005 dissipate at a much faster and larger pace while the toll in terms of lives lost would mount. The toll has to be seen in an all country perspective since independence. We are a country which has seen three armed uprisings. Twice in the South and a continuous theatre of conflict primarily in the North and East.
A now slain MP once remarked in Parliament, that we have spent over 50% of our post independence period under Emergency Rule of one form or another. We clearly have problems and our existence has not been normal. We are beset with a variety of tensions and conflicts.
In this context the list of issues that need to be resolved are vast and varied and they have lingered for long. It has compelled forced migration, destruction, death, discrimination and persecution and continuously divided the nation. In the name of staying united as the Government wishes to or seek emancipation as the adversary has stubbornly insisted on, we have continuously contributed to achieve the contrary of what we declared to be our sincere desire.
A ceasefire on the one hand, will help focus on underdevelopment and building of a consensus on key areas of national policy. This has been long overdue and now seems to be more illusive than it ever was. The pictures of the daughter of the most recently slain MP, which may not have been appropriate to highlight in the manner it has been in the first instance, is symbolic of so many men, women and children who have been reduced to weeping at sudden terrifying losses.
The agony and helplessness of their existence and trauma brought about by their experiences is not only their own. It applies to all of us. As an organization which is pro life, works for the enhancement of the existence of persons in vulnerable situations in whichever part of the country, we cannot agree with the continuance of war as a solution by anyone. In doing so we recognize that wars will be shorter than the eventual peace we achieve.
By the same token those who acted in violation of accepted universal norms in the preservation and protection of people of whatever hue will in the current universal context be held to account for their actions.
Entry Filed under: transCurrents Commentary
13 Comments Add your own
1. Gamini | January 4th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Unfortunately the blood thristy tigers abused the CFA to re arm and take out political opponents and then tried to starve the sinhalese outpost villages of drinking water. The CFA should have been rescinded earlier on one of the1,500 odd times they violated the pact.
The tigers are the most violent terrorist organisation in the world and should be treated as such, they can disarm renounce suicide bombings and political assasinations and enter the peace process in good faith.
The previous goverment was taken for a ride by the tigers and it cost the lives of many innocent civilians, the last two suicide bombings are just the tip of a long running terror campaign.
Sri Lanka, India, and the IC should recognise that the tigers are a part of the problem and have no intention to be part of the solution.
2. Gayan | January 4th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Dear Mr Jeevan
The dividends when written in August 2003 ALSO included:
1) Gave legitamacy to a terrorist organisation
2)Assasination of over 100 SLA soldiers & inteligence officers ,politicians & civilians by LTTE pistal squads & claymore mine expoltions deeply in Govt controlled arears ,without any resistance
3)As admitted by Karuna (once LTTE second in command & commander of east) over 11 shiploads of weapons & ammunition aquired by LTTE for a full scale war without any obsticle
4)Assasination of Moderate tamil politician including Mr Kadiragamer FM-SL
5)Attempted assasination of Army Commander Gen Sarath Fonseka
6)Summagling aircrafts & submarines
7) Last but not least closure of Mavil-Aru irigation water gate & starving thousands of civilians.
Prabakarans existance depends on war & he doesn’t need any reminder
3. Sam Fernando | January 4th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Yes , indeed,
CFA did bring dividends. 34 Security Intelligence officers were killed within 11 months. Now Security Intelligence officers are going to give ample dividends back to pistol group. Predators have become victims.
4. Sam Thambipillai | January 4th, 2008 at 5:17 am
The government of Sri Lanka has unilaterally withdrawn from the Ceasefire agreement of 2002. Officially now it is engaged in war in the North East of the island. Crimes committed by government soldiers will now come under the definition of war crimes.
With the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission leaving the island, the North and East may turn out to be the killing fields of the military sycophants and their allegiances.
There are two important things that the International community would be obliged to do immediately.
Firstly, to stop war crimes, the UN and the International Community should ask the International Criminal Court(ICC) , established in 2002, to investigate Sri Lankan governmental and military leaders for planning, supervising, aiding, abetting and perpetuating the disappearances and the death of many Tamils in the North and East of the island.
The persons who have committed war crimes should be taken to the ICC and charged under ‘continuous violation doctrine’.
The ‘net’ of the ICC should be spread to catch all the war criminals in Sri Lanka, especially the “big fish”, including; the pilots (both foreign and local) who bombed civilian areas killing civilians and destroying property; the soldiers who directed and executed artillery fire at civilian areas, killed people and displaced many; soldiers who abducted civilians, tortured and killed them; the commanders who shot at point blank range the 17 aid workers in Mutur and other similar persons who committed crimes against humanity.
The Serbian General Milosevic was sentenced to 38 years in prison, by the war crimes court in the Hague, during the second week of December last year, for the siege of Sarajevo and indiscriminate shelling and bombing that happened in 1994 and 1995.
The governmental and military leaders should similarly be charged and punished for the siege of the North, created by the closure of A9 road since 2006 and bombing and shelling civilian areas indiscriminately.
Secondly, Britain and the International Community should take immediate steps to decolonise Tamil Eelam and make the people live safely and justly in their sovereign country.
5. a SL voter | January 4th, 2008 at 6:38 am
The reasons behind the decision.
1. To satisfy the JVP. – It is not an issue as government is not in need to satisfy anyone. JVP will not topple the goverment. If they do, They will loose the seats they have in the parliament. It is easy to buy MPs from oppersition as they are really weak.
2. To start a full scale war. – Again it is not correct as government is already engaged in full scale war.
3. To control international groups. – This could be a reason. Almost all international and foreign organiations are against abductions, unlawfull killings and human rights abuses. The SLMM is given a mandate to monitor situations and give verdicts. Their statements may be taken against the governemnt. By doing this, the government is trying to sedn the SLMM out and carryout a full scale war filled with all forms of human rights violations.
6. Naga UK | January 4th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Are about to create history? We are at the throes of a catastrophy. Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. The chauvinism exhibited was not actually real. It was only a means toa political end of the so called leftists and the rulers have to hang on for sheer survival – come what may. In a way its okay to see an end to this ‘one way or the other’ rather than prolonging this madness. One thing is obvious. The end would not be palatable for the common innocent public.
7. 2ndClassTamil | January 4th, 2008 at 7:57 am
After carefully nurturing the public with disinformation that LTTE can be bled to death at 10 Tigers/day the GoSL has got the public support (?of over 80%) for the war. At least for once the govt is doing what the people want it to do. So no one can blame the govt now. If it turns out as I guess it will, that the people were gullible and were misled, then that is their problem, not that of the govt. The war has been declared. It is now time for us armchair pundits to sit back and watch until the dust settles. Hopefully the long awaited talks will start in earnest after that; and what a shame that would be!
8. 1stClassSinhala | January 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Don’t blame Sinhalese for all your troubes. You should put some of the blame on the LTTE Terrorist Tigers. Smack Dat, I forgot you all are scared shitless of your “boys”.
Unless the Tamil diaspora wants to end this proxy war and go to the frontlines, stay quiet. Remember the story of the bird who flew south for winter: If you are warm and happy in a pile of shit, keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, worse things will happen to you.
9. Thilee | January 4th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
It is a huge failure for International Community (IC). Until the CFA is there IC had a logical hold on this issue. Now it is clear that IC lost the ground on all corners. It is no surprise that US have a headache by Sri Lankan move.
US/EU/India/Japan were all wanted to getting use of the situation as they wanted or at least keep the situation as not giving them headache. But now it is out of the box. They were thinking that both sides will fight and finally come to them as usual. But the current government is taking though decision in the history of Sri Lanka (having red/yellow alley). It is very sad that the southern people thinking that it is a winnable war even by the country’s expense. The situation has been created so that there is no option. People paying Rs. 40 for a loaf of bread say ‘LTTE is the only issue’. Isn’t this looks funny? With no human rights, no press freedom. MP Maheswarans killings clearly says that govt. can kill any one at any time at any level. They make grave for themselves.
MP Mano Ganeshan’s award, gave motivation to kill Maheswaran? And Mano Ganeshan is out of the country now. So, what was the achievement of the award? IC prove themselves as useless? Government will not take time to kill Ranil if they want in the future. Southerners and IC need to learn more in the near future.
Norway stood on the ground and said that if both parties want the peace then they can work out. They wanted to prove their worthy but failed.
Situation has been verse because of the Indian foreign policy. PM Manmohan Sing is focused and seeing the region by his economical eyes. His policy makers cannot understand the future of the Sri Lanka from the past. They are aiming ‘certain’ targets to achieve. But they failed to understand that they will loose the ‘hold’ on Sri Lankan further even after the targets are achieved. Holding Sri Lanka economically is impossible. Sri Lankna might ask Indian oil and other companies to pack up within hours. Emirates is a good example.
2008 will have a huge blow in the history of Sri Lanka. Government is under pressure to finish the military targets by 2008 because the global political situation might change after US president election and raising cost of living.
Tamils will have no option other than autonomy and call for separate country. I will not surprise even if the government dispatches the All-party comity. Martial law in Sri Lanka is not out of reach. This govt can take any steps.
Sri Lankan politicians often say that God has to save the country. But I think even God cannot save this time, this banana republic.
10. Robert De Niro | January 4th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
EU deeply concerned of unilateral abrogation of CFA by GOSL. US troubled by the same. Japan stays mum and Norway still have to officially anounce it to LTTE. Earlier all AID were tied to progress in the peace process. Japan broke ranks and provided all AID and help which was followed by India, Norway, US, UK and Pakistan and China.
Sidelining one party to the CFA to this magnitude, bares out the ulterior motive of the so called co-chairs in the peace process and making sure Tamils do not succeed in their struggle for freedom.
So, Bold GOSL, announced the inevitable paving for another bout of war. Time will tell of the folly of the co-chairs in sidetracking tamils all this while.
But, the problem is,the Sinhala leaders fail to understand that the ethnic conflict is ours and not the problem of the co-chairs.
The suffering masses are Sri Lankans and not US or Japanese citizens.
Few more deaths of innocent civilians is not the worry of Rajapakshe clan. They think, they can win the war. Let’s wait and see!!!
11. thiaga | January 4th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
The calibre of a govt. can be seen by those who are calling shots
the thugs like Mervin and Jeyaraj, 7/11 clerk, gas station attendant. school dropouts. JVP ( who killed thousands )
What can you expect from these people, diplomacy ???
12. 3rd Class Colonialist | January 5th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Only Japan was ahead of Ceylon in 1940’s in economic and prosperity stakes.
The Englishman did leave a sound economic and education, health sector behind. Just one man’s dream of beating the UNP by raising the Ethnic-Language-Religion differences caused all the chaos of today.
The Englishman have a duty to Tamils of North-East and Tamils of Indian Origin as they were citizens of the British Empire before Independence of SL , and, thus, should re-write the Independence boundaries and separate the two countries.
Sinhalese have failed miserably in the trust placed on them by the British to not to make Tamils second class citizens. Let alone unleashing violences and communal riots on minorities from time to time. It’s the sinhalese who started the war with Tamils.
The history tells all the events that are done at will by sinhala leaders to undermine the minorities rights and privledges.
Sinhala Leaders failed to understand the art of Nation building in a multi-ethnic society. You can’t have the cake and eat it too!! Give up the North-East to Tamils and go your way and ruin your own country as you please is the message British should give the Sinhalese at this point in time.
The Sinhala Leadership has no respect for IC or India, while paying lip-service to the interests of US/EU/UK/India and Japan to get their money, following the script written by JVP-JHU.
JVP extracted this action from Rajapakshe to save his Govt from collapsing during Budget voting.
The south will see the destruction as never seen before. Half the Tamils and Moslims will die soon. 12000 SL troops will die in one day. 3000 odd SL troops will be captured by LTTE.
Jaffna will fall and so will Trincomalee to LTTE. Mannar to Pooneryn will be won by SL Forces. Tactically, this will be vacated by LTTE leaving an escape route for SL troops trapped in Kilali to Jaffna and the islets to go south. Vavuniya to Anuradhapura will be the intense war theatre as LTTE will move out of Wanni and fight the war in sinhala areas. All Sinhalese will either die or run south from border villages. Jaffna war will be won by LTTE in five days. From Yala to Putlam, bombs will go off simultaneously and the PA-GOSL will be dead and buried in one year. JVP will blame Rajapakshe for war failures and the south will vote in JVP as the main GOSL. All these are my predictions and give or take two years and these will come to fruition. Yes, Ranil will be the Opposition Leader yet again. Oops! India and US will provide arms to LTTE as Rajapakshe won’t listen to them to stop the war as human destruction would be catastrophic proportions as similar to world war II.
THIS IS MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS PARADISE ISLAND.
13. A.Rajasingam | January 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
The government will have to realize its fault on listening to the JVP in calling off the ceasefire. The government could have kept in touch with other democratic governments while not abrogating the CFA though there are short comings. Mahinda has not realized the destruction of lives and property that will arise resulting from the civil war. It is easier to beat the war drums but difficult to bear the consequences of the war. He has failed to put the best interests of the country. It appears he is concerned of his image of being a great hero when, in fact, he has played to the hands of the LTTE.
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