Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
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Most of the countries <strong>in</strong> the diplomatic front that were beh<strong>in</strong>dthe Sudanese peace process are also beh<strong>in</strong>d the peace process <strong>in</strong><strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>. These countries have helped the two war<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Nation</strong>s<strong>in</strong> Sudan to agree to an <strong>in</strong>terim federal system with a centralgovernment and a regional government for Southern Sudan withsubstantial powers for 6 years. This 6 year period is consideredan <strong>in</strong>terim period <strong>in</strong> which there will be two separate armed forces,with a jo<strong>in</strong>t coord<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g mechanism, to be ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> theNorth and South. At the end of this 6 year <strong>in</strong>terim period, peopleof the South Sudan will decide the f<strong>in</strong>al settlement through areferendum vote based on their right to self-determ<strong>in</strong>ation.If the IC has supported and encouraged such a solution to theSudan conflict with an <strong>in</strong>terim arrangement, accommodat<strong>in</strong>g thefunction<strong>in</strong>g of the armed forces of both sides, can the same ICrefuse the demand of the <strong>Tamil</strong> people of the North-East of <strong>Sri</strong><strong>Lanka</strong> for an ISGA <strong>in</strong> their homeland?Consider<strong>in</strong>g the positions spelt out by both the leaders, Rajapakseand Pirapakaran, the only possible way to avert a resumption ofhostilities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> is for the IC to come up with a similar<strong>in</strong>terim arrangement to the one they have sponsored <strong>in</strong> Sudan.The only difference may be President al-Bashir of Sudan is nota prisoner of extremist parties like Rajapakse is to the JVP andJHU <strong>in</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>. The only way for Rajapakse to become anotherPresident al-Bashir is to hold a parliamentary election and forma stronger government with his own SLFP, leav<strong>in</strong>g the JVP andJHU out.More importantly, India needs to be prepared to help Norway andthe rest of the IC by play<strong>in</strong>g the role Kenya played <strong>in</strong> Sudan.42