SRI LANKA: Sri Lankans optimistic about peace talks between government officials and Tamil rebels in Geneva

Record ID: 349472

  • Title: SRI LANKA: Sri Lankans optimistic about peace talks between government officials and Tamil rebels in Geneva
  • Date: 28th October 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) IDUNIL WIJESINGHE, CIVIL SERVANT SAYING: "It is a good thing that talks are taking place. For over 20 years, the country has been destroyed by war. To know whether we can succeed, we have to first start talks."
  • Embargoed: 12th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sri Lanka
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2VOCNU2SN57WW5YK1PL90CRNI
  • Story Text: Pressure has been mounting on the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to resume peace negotiations, but few expect a major breakthrough.
    Merely an agreement to more talks after the two-day meetings which opened in Geneva on Saturday (October 28) would be considered a success-- but analysts say given recent hostilities and major disagreements between the two sides on what ought to be discussed, chances of progress seem slim.
    But some Sri Lankans in the capital seemed optimistic as the first round of talks about eight months began in Switzerland.
    "It is a good thing that talks are taking place. For over 20 years, the country has been destroyed by war. To know whether we can succeed, we have to first start talks," said Idunil Wijesinghe, a civil servant.
    Security in the capital continued to remain tight as all vehicles going through major parts of the city were thoroughly checked.
    "If the government and the LTTE are genuine about holding peace talks, it is good thing. We can see that the government is going for talks and making major sacrifices. The LTTE is also going for talks but we are suspicious if they are genuine because while having talks, the LTTE is creating trouble in the north and the south," said Chandrakumar Weerasinghe.
    "Peace talks are a good thing. We have high hopes. Sinhalese Tamils and Muslims must live together. We must live in a country without conflict for our future generations," said Kumara Perera.
    More than 65,000 people have died in intermittent ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka since 1983. The latest burst of violence, which has uprooted thousands of people from their homes, is considered the worst since the 2002 truce was agreed.
    Representatives of both sides are expected to gather at 0630 GMT at a conference centre near the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva. Norway will facilitate the talks, the first face-to-face meeting between the two sides since February, with Switzerland acting as host.
    The Tigers are fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils in the country's north and east, where many complain of discrimination by the majority Sinhalese political class. Colombo has said it is willing to cede some autonomy but has ruled out outright independence.
    On Friday (October 27), the Tigers threatened to cut off future peace talks if the government does not agree in Geneva to open the main highway to the Tamil-dominated Jaffna peninsula, whose closure in August has caused hardship for many residents.
    Keheliya Rambukwella, a government defence spokesman and minister, dismissed the attempt to link the highway issue with future talks as a "bargaining ploy," saying it was necessary to close the road because of rebel and artillery fire.
    Supplies are being sent to the Jaffna region by ship and aircraft but local residents, Tamil politicians and civil society groups have reported widespread food and fuel shortages.
    Government negotiator Palitha Kohona said on Friday Colombo wanted to discuss holding elections, development issues, and concerns over child soldiers, while a spokesman for the Tigers outlined a different agenda.
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