The deterioration in the security situation can be attributed to the political interests of the two main protagonists – the GOSL and the LTTE. Neither side was interested in a regeneration of the peace process and talks within the framework of the 2002 CFA – their overarching interests lay in political consolidation, on the part of the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency, and on the part of the LTTE, the creation of a ground situation that would strengthen the argument that no political settlement was possible with the Sri Lankan state since it was even more unwilling and unable under the stewardship of the Rajapaksa presidency to understand, appreciate and accommodate Tamil grievances and aspirations. Consequently, though the two parties went through the motions of peace talks for the benefit of the international community and to score political points against each other, their principal objective lay in effecting a new balance of power on the ground in all it dimensions, as the basis for future talks and a peace process in their favour.
Highlighting the situation in 2006, the new CPA report War, Peace and Governance in Sri Lanka does not give much hope for the resumption of peace talks this year.
With, amongst other factors, the growing support for the Government’s war efforts in the South (CPA’s own PCI report highlights the high level of support amongst the Sinhalese for the current war for peace strategy of the Government) what do you think the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka are this year?