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The Institute for Domestic and International Affairs, Inc.<br />

Department<br />

of Peacekeeping Operations<br />

Establishing a Peacekeeping Operation<br />

for Sri Lanka<br />

Director: Jess Falk


© 2009 Institute for Domestic & International Affairs, Inc. (<strong>IDIA</strong>)<br />

This document is solely for use in preparation for <strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong><br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 2009. Use for other purposes is not permitted<br />

without the express written consent of <strong>IDIA</strong>. For more<br />

information, please write us at idiainfo@idia.net


Policy Dilemma ______________________________________________________________ 1<br />

Chronology__________________________________________________________________ 2<br />

4 February 1948: Sri Lanka Gains Its Independence ____________________________________ 2<br />

Kuly 1956: Solomon Bandaranaike Elected President ___________________________________ 3<br />

23 July 1983: Tension between Tamils and Sinhalese Boil Over ___________________________ 3<br />

29 July 1987: Indo-Lanka Peace Accord ______________________________________________ 4<br />

1 May 1993: President of Sri Lanka Assassinated_______________________________________ 4<br />

1 October 1998: Week of Deadly Fighting _____________________________________________ 5<br />

9 May 2000: Sri Lanka Rejects Cease-fire _____________________________________________ 5<br />

22 February 2002: Cease-Fire Brokered by Norway ____________________________________ 6<br />

15 April 2006: Peace Talks Fall Apart ________________________________________________ 7<br />

23 February 2009: Sri Lanka Rejects International Call for Cease-fire _____________________ 7<br />

17 May 2009: President Mahinda Rajapaksa Declares Victory Over Tamil Tigers ___________ 8<br />

19 May 2009: Leader of Tamil Tigers is Killed _________________________________________ 8<br />

Actors and Interests ___________________________________________________________ 8<br />

Sri Lankan Government ___________________________________________________________ 8<br />

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam___________________________________________________ 10<br />

Members of the Security Council ___________________________________________________ 12<br />

Possible Causes _____________________________________________________________ 13<br />

Ethnic Clashes___________________________________________________________________ 13<br />

Inequality in Government Representation ____________________________________________ 15<br />

Projections and Implications___________________________________________________ 17<br />

Bibliography________________________________________________________________ 21<br />

For Further Reading _____________________________________________________________ 21<br />

Works Cited ____________________________________________________________________ 22<br />

Works Consulted ________________________________________________________________ 26


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 1<br />

Policy Dilemma<br />

For decades, the rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) have been<br />

at war with the Sri Lankan government, fighting for an autonomous Tamil region in the<br />

north and east part of the island. The conflict in Sri Lanka dates back to 1948 when the<br />

state gained its independence from Great Britain. The Sinhalese majority resented the<br />

Tamils minority who were favored by the British. After they gained their independence,<br />

the Sinhalese proceeded to change the island’s name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, made<br />

Sinhala the primary language, and Buddhism the primary religion. Rising tension<br />

between the two groups resulted in the LITTE beginning their separatist movement.<br />

Since 1976, more than 70,000 people have been killed as a result of the conflict<br />

between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government. 1 Thousands of innocent<br />

Tamils have also been displaced as a result of the government forces pushing them into<br />

the eastern region of Sri Lanka. Up until the 1970s Sri Lanka was a developing nation<br />

that was making progress with a high life expectancy, high education and low infant<br />

mortality rates. 2 However, because of the constant fighting within the state Sri Lanka is<br />

going backwards with a deteriorating democratic structure and a decrease quality of life.<br />

The international community has interfered in the conflict in the past, but has not<br />

been successful and the fighting continues to be fierce. In 2002, both sides entered peace<br />

talks brokered by Norway with the agreement to establish an autonomous Tamil region in<br />

the northern part of the state. 3 Both sides violated the agreement and the plan was called<br />

off by the Sri Lankan government in January 2008. 4 The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission<br />

was established by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland with the purpose “to<br />

monitor and report on ceasefire violations committed by both the government and the<br />

1 Jeremy Page, “Fears Grow for Trapped Civilians as Army Launches Final Onslaught,” The Times London,<br />

February 3, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

2 Damien Kingsbury, “Only Compromise Can Resolve Sri Lanka’s Deadly Nightmare,” The Age, January 9, 2008,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com.<br />

3 Vijay Sappani, “The Crisis in Sri Lanka: Canada’s role,” The National Post, February 6, 2009, Lexis Nexis.<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

4 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 2<br />

LITTE.” 5 This was not an attempt at a peace keeping mission, merely trying to observing<br />

the fighting that was occurring and reporting it to the global community. This has been<br />

the last efforts by the international community to help establish peace in the region. India<br />

has been the state most active in peace agreements in Sri Lanka because of the close<br />

proximity and connection it has to the state. 6<br />

In order for a <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> (UN) peacekeeping operation to be formed, there<br />

must be peace in Sri Lanka. However, the Sri Lankan government has been resistant to<br />

UN and other outside forces interfering. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights<br />

wanted to set up and office in Sri Lanka, but was not allowed. 7 Once the fighting<br />

between the groups have ceased, a peacekeeping operation can commence to restore Sri<br />

Lanka.<br />

Chronology<br />

4 February 1948: Sri Lanka Gains Its Independence<br />

In 1948 Sri Lanka, which at the time was known at Ceylon gained independence<br />

from Britain. Once the state gained independence, the conflict between the ethnic groups<br />

living in the state came to light. Two main groups that live in Sri Lanka are the Buddhist<br />

Sinhalese majority that makes up 74 per cent of the population, and the Hindu Tamils<br />

minority who comprise 12 per cent. The two groups were treated differently by the<br />

British, with the Hindu Tamils minority receiving favorite treatment. When the British<br />

left Sri Lanka, a Westminster style democracy was created that favored the Sinhalese<br />

majority. 8 In response to the years in which they were discriminated against, the<br />

Sinhalese began to discriminate against the Tamils. The beginning of this treatment is<br />

what has lead to the ethnic clashes that have been going on for decades.<br />

5 “Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Hold Last Media Briefing in Capital,” January 18, 2008, BBC Monitoring South<br />

Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

6 Shakuntala Perera, “Commentator Accuses India of “Hidden Agenda” in Dealing with Sri Lanka,” June 5, 2007,<br />

BBC World Monitoring South Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

7 “US Envoy Urges Political Solution to Sri Lanka Conflict, “ October 25, 2008, BBC World Monitoring South Asia,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

8 Connie Levett, “Unraveling Ceasefire Fails to Halt Bloodshed,” The Age, March 17, 2007, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http:///www.lexisnexis.com.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 3<br />

Kuly 1956: Solomon Bandaranaike Elected President<br />

In a wave of national pride, Solomon Bandaranaike was elected president in 1956<br />

on a Sinhalese pride platform. Under his power, Sinhala was made the official language<br />

and laws were passed promoting Buddhism as the official religion. The Tamil’s did not<br />

react quietly to Bandaranike’s victory and his pro-Sinhalese methods. More than one<br />

hundred Tamils were killed during protests regarding the new pro Sinhalese legislation<br />

that was passed. 9<br />

This was one of the first violent events that occurred in Sri Lankan in<br />

response to the ethnic differences of the groups. The laws that were passed during<br />

Bandaranike’s term and the growing pro-Sinhalese sentiment increased the Tamil’s<br />

resentment towards the majority group. Solomon Banadarnaike’s term as president was<br />

cut short in 1959 when he was assassinated by a Buddhist monk on September 26, 1959.<br />

His assassination marked the first of many political leaders that would be killed because<br />

of the ethnic conflict present in the country.<br />

23 July 1983: Tension between Tamils and Sinhalese Boil<br />

Over<br />

July of 1983 is one of the bloodiest in the history of Sri Lanka. It started on July<br />

23, 1983 when the LTTE killed thirteen Sinhalese soldiers in the city of Jaffna. 10 This act<br />

prompted a pogrom against the Tamils that lasted for the entire month. As a result of the<br />

killing of the soldiers, 1,000 people were killed and 18,000 Tamils homes were destroyed.<br />

The killing of Tamils spread throughout the state even including thirty five Tamil<br />

prisoners being killed by fellow Sinhalese prisoners. 11<br />

Four days in to the conflict,<br />

President Jayewardene of Sri Lanka made a televised appearance where he asked the<br />

people to end the ongoing violence, only after a phone call from Prime Minister Indira<br />

Gandhi of India. 12<br />

Even after this speech, the violence continued and the police force and<br />

9 “Timeline: Sri Lanka,” BBC News, January 6 ,2009,<br />

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1166237.stm<br />

10 Ibid.<br />

11 Sam Rajappa, “Truth Commission: Call For New Era of Reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” The Statesman, September<br />

29, 2004, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com.<br />

12 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 4<br />

government officials did not intervene to put a stop to the destruction. This was also the<br />

event in which the LITTE came to the forefront in the fight for an independent Tamil<br />

state.<br />

29 July 1987: Indo-Lanka Peace Accord<br />

In a response to the ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka a peace accord was signed<br />

between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayewardene of Sri<br />

Lanka. India felt the need to intervene in the matter because the people living in the<br />

Jaffna peninsula were experiencing constant fighting because of the controversy of<br />

control of the land. Under the agreement Sri Lankan troops were to withdraw from the<br />

north and the LTTE were to disarm. Also included in the agreement is the merger of the<br />

Tamil Eastern and Northern provinces. 13 Indian peacekeepers entered Sri Lanka with the<br />

hope they would only be there for six months. Over 15,000 Indian peacekeepers were<br />

sent to control the conflict, but heavy fighting and killing continued under their watch. 14<br />

Many Sri Lankans were concerned about India’s presence in the country because they<br />

feared they would never leave, or try to annex part of Sri Lanka to India. India’s<br />

intervention in the situation was not looked favorably by Indian people. Riots were held<br />

against the Indo-Lanka accord on the day it was signed and Rajiv Gandhi was attacked<br />

after leaving the building after the signing of the peace accord. 15 The peace-keeping<br />

mission was not successful and Indian troops build out three years later with no change in<br />

the violence present in Sri Lanka.<br />

1 May 1993: President of Sri Lanka Assassinated<br />

President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated at a May Day political rally in<br />

May of 1993. He was killed by Tamil suicide bomber along with twenty four other<br />

13 “Sri Lanka Tamil Leader Seeks Indian Military Intervention,” BBC Monitoring South Asia, October 15, 2008,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com.<br />

14 Steven Weisman, “Tamils Dashing Indian Hopes for Peace in Sri Lanka,” The New York Times, October 18.<br />

1987,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9B0DE6DE153AF93BA25753C1A961948260&sec=&spon=&&sc<br />

p=1&sq=%20Indo-Lanka%20Peace%20Accord&st=cse.<br />

15 “India’s Congress Lacks Clear Allies in Sri Lanka,” BBC Monitoring South Asia, May 14, 2004, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 5<br />

people. 16 The citizens of Sri Lanka’s reaction to the death of their president were<br />

interesting. Many people blamed President Premadasa for “contributing to the climate of<br />

political fear” between the government and the LTTE. 17 Parliament unanimously voted<br />

Dingiri Banda Wijetunga was president who openly spoke against the former president<br />

while he was in office. By electing Wijetunga as President it signified that the<br />

government of Sri Lanka was attempting to take steps to end the fighting and killing.<br />

Unfortunately, the change in political power did nothing to decrease the violence present<br />

in the state.<br />

1 October 1998: Week of Deadly Fighting<br />

The first week in October was catastrophic in the history of Sri Lanka. In one<br />

short week 1,300 government soldiers and rebel troops were killed in fighting. The<br />

conflict flared at that time because the government tried to recapture a highway that<br />

linked the capital of Colombo to Jaffna at the northern tip of the country. 18 This was the<br />

most tragic week of fighting since the conflict started in 1983. The even illustrated how<br />

hard each side was willing to fight to control Jaffna. Jaffna is a peninsula at the northern<br />

tip of Sri Lanka, and is the region that the Tamils hope to control. 19 During this conflict,<br />

the Tamils gained control of the Elephant Path, which is a highway that most believe is a<br />

step to the control of Jaffna.<br />

9 May 2000: Sri Lanka Rejects Cease-fire<br />

The Sri Lankan government rejected a Tamil cease-fire in 2000 which was the<br />

first peace offering in over a decade. The Sri Lankan government was not satisfied with<br />

the details of the cease-fire because the fighting between the two groups was intense,<br />

with neither side showing any signs of stopping. The cease-fire called for the<br />

government to withdraw tens of thousands of troops from the northern Jaffna peninsula in<br />

16 Edward Gargain, “Suicide Bomber Kills President of Sri Lanka,” The New York Times , May 2, 1993<br />

17 Edward Gargain, “Sri Lanka Clam In Spite of Slaying,” The New York Times, May 9, 1993,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9F0CE7D71731F93AA35756C0A965958260<br />

18 “Toll Put at 1,300 in Sri Lanka After Week of Heavy Fighting,” The New York Times, October 1, 1998,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9B0DE0DF1738F932A35753C1A96E958260<br />

19 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 6<br />

order for the Tamil’s to end their attacks. 20 In a press conference that night President<br />

Chandrika Kumaratunga stated, “We shall leave no room for the LTTE to again fasten<br />

their fascist grip on half a million Tamil people in Jaffna.” 21 In response to the<br />

government’s reaction, rebel leaders state “the government’s rejection of the offer could<br />

lead to disastrous consequences of heavy military casualties.” 22 This was another event<br />

in the war between the two groups that demonstrated how difficult it would be to achieve<br />

peace in the region. It also shows that outside intervention would be necessary for any<br />

progress to be made in the effort to end the war.<br />

22 February 2002: Cease-Fire Brokered by Norway<br />

A cease-fire was brokered by Jan Petersen, the foreign minister of Norway<br />

between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. Foreign Minister Petersen stated,<br />

“The overall objective of the parties is to find a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict<br />

in Sri Lanka, which has cost 60,000 lives and caused widespread human suffering. They<br />

commit themselves to restoring normalcy for all the inhabitants of Sri Lanka, whether<br />

they are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or others.” 23 The cease-fire included “total cessation<br />

of all offensive military operations, the separation of forces, and increased freedom of<br />

movement for unarmed troops on both sides.” It also allowed the “unimpeded flow of<br />

non military goods, opening roads and railway lines,” and created an international<br />

monitoring group led by Norway.” 24 The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission’s (SLMM)<br />

purpose was to oversee both groups commitment to the cease-fire. Throughout its<br />

existence, the SLMM made<br />

20 Celia Dugger, “Sri Lanka Rejects Offer of Cease-fire By Rebels,” The New York Times, May 9 2000,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9E04E7DE1038F93AA35756C0A9669C8B63<br />

21 Ibid.<br />

22 Ibid.<br />

23 “Norway Declares Truce Between Sri Lanka Government,” BBC Monitoring South Asia, February 22, 2002,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

24 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 7<br />

15 April 2006: Peace Talks Fall Apart<br />

The Sri Lankan government and leaders of the LTTE were supposed to continue<br />

peace talks that started in Geneva, but the peace talks ended as a result of increasing<br />

violence. 25<br />

Mine blasts killed at least four soldiers and wounded seven. This intensified<br />

the situation which further increased when a Sri Lankan navy vessel approached.<br />

Members of the LTTE were threatened by the situation and canceled internal meetings.<br />

The meeting that was canceled was said to be crucial to the resumption of peace talks in<br />

Geneva. 26<br />

time period.<br />

After this even, all peace talks between the two groups ended for an extended<br />

23 February 2009: Sri Lanka Rejects International Call for<br />

Cease-fire<br />

As a result of being pinned down by Sri Lankan troops, the Tamils were willing to<br />

accept an internationally brokered cease-fire under the condition that they would not<br />

surrender their weapons. Political chief of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan sent a letter<br />

to the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> and world leaders stating, “The LTTE is ready to accept the calls<br />

for a cease-fire issued by international community with the good intention of ending the<br />

human suffering.” 27<br />

The letter went on to say that the LTTE hoped “this effort for a<br />

cease-fire to grow further into peace talks to seek a political solution to the ethnic<br />

conflict.” 28<br />

The Sri Lankan government quickly rejected this call for a cease-fire.<br />

Believing that they were in the position to overcome the LTTE, the Sri Lankan<br />

government was not willing to enter in to a cease-fire. This event illustrates how difficult<br />

it will be for peace to be achieved in the region. Whenever a specific group has the upper<br />

hand, they are unwilling to enter in to a peace agreement, which means the violence<br />

continues.<br />

25 “Sri Lankan Rebels Delay Peace Talks,” The New York Times, April 16, 2006,<br />

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/world/asia/16lanka.html.<br />

26 Ibid<br />

27 Mark McDonald, “Sri Lanka: Tamils Offer a Cease-fire,” The New York Time, February 23, 2009,<br />

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/world/asia/24briefs-<br />

TAMILSOFFERA_BRF.htmlscp=5&sq=sri%20lanka&st=cse<br />

28 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 8<br />

17 May 2009: President Mahinda Rajapaksa Declares Victory<br />

Over Tamil Tigers<br />

After taking control of the entire coastline for the first time in 26 years, President<br />

Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka declared that the military had finally defeated the Tamil<br />

Tigers. 29<br />

The government forced the rebel group in to a 1.2 square mile strip of land and<br />

ensured that there was no possibility of escape by sea. Even though the government<br />

declared victory, fighting continued throughout the day in which the rebels began<br />

“detonating their ammunition stocks and artillery dumps.” 30<br />

Selvarasa Pathmanathan, a<br />

leader from the Tigers made a statement regarding his support for a peaceful end to the<br />

conflict to limit the civilian casualties. This was rejected by the government.<br />

19 May 2009: Leader of Tamil Tigers is Killed<br />

Vellupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Tamil Tigers and the mastermind behind<br />

the conflict that took the lives of over 70,000 people, was killed attempting to “break<br />

through government lines in an ambulance.” 31<br />

After the death of Prabhakaran and two of<br />

his senior commanders, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka declared, “the entire country<br />

is declared rid of terrorism,” and all military operations were stopped.<br />

Actors and Interests<br />

Sri Lankan Government<br />

Since Ceylon gained its independence, the main interest of the Sinhalese<br />

dominated government has been the protection and promotion of their culture, and<br />

oppressing the Tamils. Immediately upon gaining independence, the government took<br />

actions such as passing anti-Tamil legislation to reserve the best jobs for the Sinhalese<br />

and making Sinhalaese the only official language of the state to emphasize their superior<br />

status. Once the country was officially renamed the Republic of Sri Lanka openings at<br />

29 “Sri Lanka Forces Surround Tamil Rebels,” The New York Times, May 16, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

30 Ibid.<br />

31 Robert Bosleigh, “Claims of Massacre as Tiger Leaders Die,” The Times London, May 19, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 9<br />

universities for Tamils were decreased and the Sinhalese imposed further discriminatory<br />

laws.<br />

The Sri Lankan government has acted in a way in which they thought was best for<br />

their state, without giving consideration to civilian or foreign nation’s opinions. In April<br />

1987, the government organized Operation Liberation, which was a carpet bombing of<br />

the north and east part of Sri Lanka that is held by the LTTE. 32 The Sri Lankan<br />

government was criticized by foreign leaders for cases of torture, disappearances, and the<br />

killing of civilians, but their response was “they had to defend themselves against the<br />

militants.” 33<br />

The Sri Lankan government maintained the same attitude, to which Hilary<br />

Clinton, Secretary of State for the <strong>United</strong> States, declared, “The Sri Lankan government<br />

knows that the entire world is very disappointed that in its efforts to end what it sees as<br />

25 years of conflict, it is causing such untold suffering.” 34 Clinton was referring to the<br />

high number of civilian causalities that have occurred between the fighting of the two<br />

groups in April of 2009. The <strong>United</strong> States insisted that the government stop fighting<br />

long enough for tens of thousands of civilians to escape the war torn piece of territory,<br />

but the government refused such requests. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka<br />

made a statement to all Western states saying, “The government is not ready to enter into<br />

any kind of cease-fire with terrorists. It is my duty to protect the people of this country. I<br />

don’t need lectures from Western representatives.” 35<br />

With this attitude, it is clear that the<br />

only interest of the Sri Lankan government in the protection of the Sinhalese majority<br />

because they are doing little to protect the innocent Tamils who are caught in the cross<br />

fires of war.<br />

In February of 2009 when the conflict was drawing to an end, the Sri Lankan<br />

government created plans to create five “welfare villages” to house Tamils who left the<br />

Tamil region of the jungle. The villages are set to have “schools, banks, parks and<br />

32 “History of the Conflict in Sri Lanka,” http://www.pbs.org<br />

33 Ibid.<br />

34 Somini Sengupta, “US Faults Sri Lanka on Civilian Woes,” The New York Times, Aril 23, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

35 Thomas Fuller, “Sri Lanka Rejects Lectures From Western Countries,” The New York Times, May 1, 2009, Lexis<br />

Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 10<br />

vocational centres to help to rehabilitate up to 200,000 displaced Tamils after a 25 year<br />

civil war.” 36 It will be compulsory for people fleeing the area to live in the camps “until<br />

the army which will guard them, has screened them, hunted down the Tigers and demined<br />

the area.” 37 They plan to build the camps surrounded by barbed wire, and only those who<br />

have relatives on the outside will be allowed to come and go once they have been<br />

screened, young and single people will not be permitted to leave. The Sri Lankan<br />

government hopes to have 80 per cent of the people relocated by the end of the year.<br />

Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights stated that the<br />

placement in the camps will not be voluntary adding, “this is a situation where we’re<br />

dealing with terrorists who infiltrate civilian populations… security has to be<br />

paramount.” 38 This has been seen as an extreme step and has caused outrage from<br />

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, however, Sri Lanka has not stopped<br />

plans for the building of these camps. This is an example of how far the Sri Lankan<br />

government is willing to go to protect its people and stop the Tamil Tigers from gaining<br />

power again.<br />

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam<br />

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been fighting for the past 26 years<br />

their own free and independent state in the north east part of the country. They have<br />

taken any action they felt necessary to achieve their ultimate goal. Velupillai<br />

Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam stated in a radio address,<br />

“Whatever challenges confront us, whatever contingencies we encounter, whatever forces<br />

stand in our path, we will still continue with our struggle for the freedom of the Tamil<br />

36 Jeremy Page, “Barbed Wire Villages Raise Fears of Refugee Concentration; Sri Lanka,” The Times London,<br />

February 13, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

37 Ibid.<br />

38 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 11<br />

people.” 39 This statement encompasses the sentiment outlooks of all Tamil officials and<br />

helps explain all of the drastic actions they have taken on behalf of a free Tamil state.<br />

The Tigers have used suicide bombers to kill Sinhalese once it became clear that<br />

the army was advancing towards a victory. A female Tamil Tiger suicide bomber was<br />

responsible for the deaths of at least 28 people and wounded 64. A spokesman for the Sri<br />

Lankan army stated that once the Tigers lost their air force, navy, and heavy artillery,<br />

they saw no other option then to use suicide bombers. 40 Suicide bombers were also used<br />

in April of 2006, when a Tamil suicide bomber posing as a pregnant women, infiltrated<br />

the military headquarters in the capital of Colombo and resulted in the deaths of 8<br />

people. 41 This incident and the retaliatory strikes by the government are what are<br />

responsible for the end of the four year cease-fire between the government and the rebel<br />

group. The air strikes by the government caused S.S. Elilan, the Tamil Tigers leader in<br />

Trincomalee, to release a statement saying, “We are in a state of readiness and are<br />

waiting for the instruction from our leadership to respond with force that will<br />

catastrophically disabling and devastating to the enemy.” 42 This is the emotion that is<br />

present in all leaders of the Tamil Tigers and illustrates that they were always ready and<br />

eager to continue the fighting.<br />

The Tigers have often utilized violence to achieve their mission of achieve their<br />

goal of a free state. In March of 2007, the Tamil Tigers bombed an air force base in the<br />

capital of Colombo. 43 The attack killed two and wounded seventeen. The attack was in<br />

retaliation to the government who advanced in to land that was held by the Tigers. Other<br />

tactics have also been used to infuriate the Sri Lankan government. In July 2006, the<br />

rebel group took control and blocked an irrigation canal that was supplying water to<br />

39 Tom Whipple, “Rebel Leader Stays Defiant in Radio Rallying Call,” The Times London, November 28, 2008,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

40 Jeremy Page, “Female Suicide Bomber Kills 28 as Civilians Flee Last Stand,” The Times London, February 10,<br />

2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

41 Richard Beeston, “Thousands Flee Air Raids as Enemies Trade Threats,” The Times London, April 27, 2006,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

42 Ibid.<br />

43 “Sri Lankan Rebels Bomb Air Base,” The New York Times, March 26, 2007, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 12<br />

15,000 Sinhalese farmers. 44 To prevent army troops from getting to the canal, the Tigers<br />

planted land mines on the path. The fighting that began to take place as a result of this<br />

conflict is what caused the Finland and Demark of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission to<br />

leave the country for fear of escalating in fighting.<br />

Members of the Security Council<br />

The five permanent members of the Security Council have played an influential<br />

role in the ending of the conflict in Sri Lanka. There is a divided between the five states<br />

in their view of the conflict. China and Russia have been supporters of the Sri Lankan<br />

government and have made an effort to keep Western states and the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> from<br />

interfering in the conflict. Contrarily, France, the <strong>United</strong> States, and the <strong>United</strong> Kingdom<br />

have openly condemned both the government and the rebel group.<br />

China and Sri Lanka have had close diplomatic ties for over fifty years. 45 In 2007,<br />

Sri Lanka agreed to let China build a $1 billion port off the town of Hambantota located<br />

in the Southeast Coast of Sri Lanka. Since that time, China has given “aid, arms, and<br />

diplomatic support it needs to defeat the Tigers.” 46 According to the Stockholm<br />

International Peace Research Institute, after the Tigers destroyed ten military aircrafts in<br />

2007, China provided six F7 jet fighters to Sri Lanka free of charge. China has also used<br />

its power as a permanent member of the Security Council to keep Sri Lanka off the<br />

agenda and increase financial aid, despite the reductions from Western states. 47 As a<br />

result of the strong support Sri Lanka has been receiving from China, they are able to<br />

dismiss the criticism on the part of Western nations. Sri Lanka also considers Russia to<br />

be a close ally, and relies on them to keep the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> out of the conflict. To<br />

show their opposition to discussing the conflict, Russia and China boycotted a meeting on<br />

Sri Lanka that was organized by the members of Britain, France, and Austria in the<br />

44 Shimali Senanayake, “Sri Lanka and Rebels in Dispute Over Access to Irrigation Canal,” The New York Times,<br />

July 31, 2006, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

45 “Chinese Politburo Member Meets Sri Lanka Delegation on Boosting Ties,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific,<br />

October 25, 2006, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

46 Jeremy Page, “Port in a Storm: How Chinese Billions Funded Army’s Battle to Break Tigers,” The Times London,<br />

May 2, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

47 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 13<br />

European Union. 48 Japan and Vietnam who are currently serving on the Security Council<br />

have also used their power to block the discussion of Sri Lanka based on their feeling that<br />

the conflict is an internal matter.<br />

Britain and France released a joint statement condemning the Tamil Tigers for<br />

preventing civilians to leave the conflict zone when there was continued bombing by the<br />

Sri Lankan government. British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and French Foreign<br />

Secretary Bernard Kouchner stated, “we deplore their determination to use civilians as<br />

human shields,” and went on to say they, “were deeply concerned that there was no large<br />

scale movement of civilians away from the conflict area to safety.” 49 After a trip to the<br />

conflict zone in April of 2009, Kouchner openly stated in an interview that he did not<br />

trust the government of Sri Lankan, but added that he “discounted claims by the rebels<br />

even more.” 50 The <strong>United</strong> States has also made their views on the conflict known by<br />

delaying a $1.9 billion International Monetary Fund bailout for Sri Lanka’s central bank<br />

in an attempt to put pressure on the government to help its citizens. 51<br />

Possible Causes<br />

Ethnic Clashes<br />

All of the violence that has occurred in Sri Lanka is a result of ethnic clashes.<br />

Both the Sinhalese and the Tamils feel as if they are a vulnerable group, and both have<br />

taken drastic steps to protect their ethnic group. The Tamils rightfully feel that they are a<br />

minority because they only make up 12 per cent of the population, however, the<br />

Sinhalese feel as though they are a minority in the Indian region because of the large<br />

48 James Bone, “UN Offers Help for Postwar Settlement,” The Times London, May 19, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

49 Matthew Saltmarsh, “Rebels Criticized by Britain and France,” The New York Times, April 17, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

50 Thomas Fuller, “European Delegation Fails to Broker Sri Lankan Truce,” The New York Times, April 30, 2009,<br />

Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

51 Thomas Fuller, “Sri Lanka Rejects Lectures From Western Countries,” The New York Times, May 1, 2009, Lexis<br />

Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 14<br />

number of Tamil speakers in India. 52 It is those feelings that have lead to all of the<br />

decisions each group has made. In the early 1900s many Tamils moved to Sinhala areas<br />

because there was more money to be made then in the Jaffna peninsula. This was the<br />

first time that the two groups would be living among one another, and tension ran high.<br />

In towns such as Colombo and Kandy, Tamil enclaves were formed with their own<br />

language, cuisine, religion, and customs. 53 The differences immediately evoked, “ethnic<br />

jokes, ethnic slurs, and ethnic slights.” 54 Tensions also rose on the issue of status. The<br />

Tamils that were in contact with the Sinhalese were educated and well off, and became a<br />

representation of the Tamils as a whole because they were the only members of the group<br />

that the Sinhalese encountered. Therefore, there was a notion that Tamils were better off<br />

then Sinhalese, even though the Tamils have a large amount of uneducated and poor<br />

members of their community. 55 At this point there hadn’t been any violence between the<br />

two groups, but pressure was already being created because they were different from one<br />

another.<br />

The discrimination in education is based purely on ethnicity, and has also been a<br />

main reason behind Tamil fighting. The Sinhalese dominated government wanted to<br />

make Sinhala the official language of high education. They thought this was acceptable<br />

because Tamil students had advantages in “schooling created by greater missionary<br />

efforts in the colonial period and by educational emphasis in the Tamil culture.” 56 Chief<br />

Justice Sir Arthur Wijeywardene argued in favor of making Sinhala the official language<br />

of higher education would actually create a level playing field. 57 The Sinhalese also did<br />

not trust the Tamil exam graders because they believed they were more partial to Tamils<br />

and therefore more Tamil students entered the universities. It is this kind of actions that<br />

lead to revolt.<br />

52 Lakshmanan Sabaratnam, “Ethnic Attachments in Sri Lanka: Social Changes and Cultural Continuity,” New York:<br />

Palgrave 200.<br />

53 Ibid. 178.<br />

54 Ibid.<br />

55 Ibid.<br />

56 Ibid. 180.<br />

57 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 15<br />

The issue of language is at the forefront of the conflict between the Sinhalese and<br />

the Tamils. In 1957, a year after Sinhala became the official language of Sri Lanka, the<br />

Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact was created by the leaders of the Sri Lanka Freedom<br />

Party, representing the Sinhalese people, and the leaders of the Federal Party who<br />

represented the Tamils. The pact “recognized Tamil as the language of a national<br />

minority and made provisions for its use as the language of administration in the<br />

predominantly Tamil areas of the Northern and Eastern provinces, without altering the<br />

position of Sinhala as the only official language of Sri Lanka.” 58 Prime Minister<br />

Banadaranaike was aware that the Buddhist clergy and the Sinhalese extremists were<br />

opposed to this doctrine so he delayed its implementation and ordered that all motor<br />

vehicles display the Sinhalese character “Sri” on the license plate. This was to reassure<br />

the Sinhalese extremists that the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact would not nullify<br />

the Sinhala Only Act. The Tamils protested this act and the Sinhalese retaliated by<br />

destroying Tamil homes and the violence intensified. If the Sinhalese extremists would<br />

have been willing to allow the Tamils to speak their own language in their own area, it is<br />

possible that the rest of the violence would not have ensued. However, they did not allow<br />

this, and it has become a main fighting point among the Tamil Tigers. 59<br />

Inequality in Government Representation<br />

Inequality in the Sri Lankan government between the Sinhalese and the Tamils<br />

began in 1921, when the Sinhalese sought greater representation in the Legislative<br />

Council by making representation territorial. 60 The Tamil elite were not ready to accept<br />

the weakened position of the Tamils in the Legislative Council and were becoming<br />

increasingly aware of the actions of the Sinhalese. Leadership saw “that many political<br />

activists, including constitutional reformists and Buddhist revivalists, “possessed a streak<br />

58 Chelvadurai Manogaran, “Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press,<br />

1987, 49.<br />

59 Ibid.<br />

60 Ibid 31.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 16<br />

of Sinhalese national consciousness and were inclined to sacrifice Tamil interests.” 61<br />

Following the election of 1936, Sinhalese leaders held chairmanships in all seven of the<br />

Executive Committees in the State Council, meaning they were responsible for the<br />

administration in all government departments. 62 The Tamils accused the Board of<br />

Ministers of neglecting the needs of the Tamil constituents and the fear of a Sinhalese<br />

dominated country continued to spread through the community. Before the British left<br />

Sri Lanka, the Tamils attempted to get them to agree to a “50-50” plan in which 50 per<br />

cent of the seats in Congress would be saved for minorities. This plan was meant to<br />

prevent Sinhalese complete domination of Congress, but the British refused the plan. 63<br />

The unequal treatment and representation continued when Sri Lanka gained<br />

independence in 1948. The Sinhalese educated rural people and the Buddhist clergy<br />

demanded preferential treatment for their community because the country was over 70<br />

per cent Sinhalese, and to them that meant they should have a superior status. 64 Once the<br />

Sinhalese dominated the Ceylon National Congress they began to take measures to widen<br />

the control of the Sinhalese. They established the Great Council of the Sinhalese in rural<br />

areas as an effort to mobilize support for Sinhalese nationalism. 65 One Tamil leader, G.G.<br />

Ponnambalam went so far as to say that the, “Tamils would resist being segregated into<br />

ghettos and treated like Semites in the Nazi States.” 66<br />

The people of Sri Lanka, both Sinhalese and Tamils have been lead to believe the<br />

“federalism is a dirty word and subversive idea.” 67 The constitutional evolution of Sri<br />

Lanka has been such that there is a universal belief that “power and authority has to be<br />

concentrated at the center or else national sovereignty will be adversely affected and the<br />

virility of the state impaired.” 68 The Sinhala believe that the Tamils will use federalism<br />

61 Ibid.<br />

62 Ibid 35.<br />

63 Ibid 37.<br />

64 Ibid 32.<br />

65 Ibid 33.<br />

66 Sabaratnam 178.<br />

67 John Darby and Roger Mac Ginty, “The Management of Peace Process,” New York: St. Matin’s Press, LLC, 2000,<br />

198<br />

68 Ibid. 199


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 17<br />

as a mechanism to secede and set up their own state. 69 This is why Sri Lanka is being run<br />

as a Sinhalese state, and the only way the Tamils believe they can have full rights is by<br />

having their own independent state.<br />

Projections and Implications<br />

The future of Sri Lanka remains unclear, but a humanitarian crisis seems imminent<br />

if the government continues to block the Untied <strong>Nations</strong> and other aid agencies from<br />

entering the country to help the 300,000 civilians displaced by the conflict. 70 An<br />

estimated 80,000 Tamils from the north, most of who are sick and suffering from injuries,<br />

were traveling by foot to government run camps the day after the government claimed<br />

their victory. Executive Director of UNICEF Ann Veneman states, “People are arriving<br />

into camps sick, malnourished and some with untended wounds of war… water and<br />

sanitation needs are critical.” 71 Sri Lanka has accepted help from the UN in the demining<br />

process so that the displaced people will be able to return to their homes safely.<br />

Suresh Bartlett, Sri Lankan director of the aid agency World Vision stated, “The<br />

conventional war may be over, but the real challenge now is to foster an environment<br />

where fractured and displaced Tamil communities can heal and have a real chance at<br />

creating a future from themselves and their children.” 72 This is what the future entails for<br />

Sri Lanka, and it is unclear how much assistance they will accept from the UN and other<br />

outside sources.<br />

An investigation has also been suggested by Britain, the European Union, and the<br />

UN to look into possible war crimes committed by Sri Lanka by firing on civilian targets<br />

including hospital. 73 The first step to accomplish this goal was reached by getting the<br />

necessary one third of the forty seven members of the UN Human Rights Council to<br />

69 Ibid.<br />

70 Robert Bosleigh, “Victims Tell of Misery as UN Barred from Tamil Refugee Camps,” The Times London, May 20,<br />

2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

71 “UN Demands Full Access to Sri Lanka Refugees,” CNN, May 19, 2009, http://www.edition.cnn.com<br />

72 Ibid.<br />

73 Jeremy Page, “Rebel Defeat, Democratic Dilemma,” The Times London, May 20, 2009, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 18<br />

convene a special session next week. 74 The only other international body capable to<br />

investigate war crimes is the International Criminal Court, but it is unlikely that will<br />

happen because it is has be referred by the UN Security Council where it will be blocked<br />

by China and Russia. 75<br />

The current situation in Sri Lanka could call for a UN Peacekeeping Mission, if<br />

the country would accept the assistance. All of the different dimensions of peacekeeping<br />

forces can be utilized in Sri Lanka. Peacekeepers are responsible to build sustainable<br />

institutions so the state can recover from the years of conflict it has suffered.<br />

Peacekeepers are also responsible for de-mining which is desperately needed in northern<br />

Sri Lanka. Human rights monitoring is also a job for UN peacekeepers, and will be<br />

necessary to follow the Tamil population integration back in to society.<br />

74 Ibid.<br />

75 Ibid.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 19<br />

Conclusion<br />

For the past twenty six years, Sri Lanka has been a state continuously in a civil<br />

war. Caused by ethnic differences and inequality, the conflict has finally ended with the<br />

defeat of the Tamil Tigers. The international community has made their opinions on the<br />

conflict known, but has largely been ignored by the government of Sri Lanka. Now that<br />

peace has finally reached the region, much needs to be help Sri Lanka reach all of its<br />

potential. The UN must play a key role in this mission, and a peacekeeping operation<br />

established in Sri Lanka will be a large step forward for the state.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 20<br />

Discussion Questions<br />

• What should the Security Council mandate be for a peacekeeping operation in<br />

Sri Lanka<br />

• What should the role of UN Peacekeepers be in Sri Lanka<br />

responsibilities should they have<br />

What<br />

• What are the main areas that need to be addressed by Peacekeepers<br />

• How do you get the support of Sri Lanka for a peacekeeping operation<br />

• What materials/personnel/money would be needed in a peacekeeping operation<br />

in Sri Lanka<br />

• Is it possible for the conflict to break out again<br />

• What states would play an integral part in a peacekeeping operation<br />

• How can social peace be restored to the country between the Sinhalese and<br />

Tamils<br />

• What role should UN peacekeepers play in monitoring the human rights<br />

• What can they do to make sure there are no further violations of human rights<br />

• Would military force be necessary in a peacekeeping operation


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 21<br />

Bibliography<br />

For Further Reading<br />

Lakshmanan Sabaratnam, “Ethnic Attachments in Sri Lanka: Social Changes and<br />

Cultural Continuity,” New York: Palgrave, 2001.<br />

“Ethnic Attachments in Sri Lanka,” is useful for finding a history of the<br />

relationship between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. It begins from the time<br />

of colonialism to the turn of the 21 st century. It also have graphs that<br />

clearly show the difference in education and occupation between the two<br />

groups.<br />

John Darby and Roger Mac Ginty, “The Management of Peace Process,” New York: St.<br />

Martin’s Press, LLC, 2000.<br />

This book goes in to detail about the different factors that have brought Sri<br />

Lanka to its current state.<br />

Chelvadurai Manogaran, “Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” Honolulu:<br />

University of Hawaii Press, 1987.<br />

This book is helpful in researching the different steps that government has<br />

taken regarding Tamils and Sinhalese populations. This book was<br />

published just after the conflict between the Tigers and the Sri Lankan<br />

government broke out so it examines what actions lead to the beginning of<br />

the conflict.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 22<br />

Works Cited<br />

Beeston, Richard. “Thousands Flee Air Raids as Enemies Trade Threats.” The Times<br />

London, April 27, 2006, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Bone, James. “UN Offers Help for Postwar Settlement.” The Times London, May 19,<br />

2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Bosleigh, Robert. “Claims of Massacre as Tiger Leaders Die.” The Times London, May<br />

19, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Bosleigh, Robert. “Victims Tell of Misery as UN Barred from Tamil Refugee Camps.”<br />

The Times London, May 20, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

“Chinese Politburo Member Meets Sri Lanka Delegation on Boosting Ties.” BBC<br />

Monitoring Asia Pacific, October 25, 2006, Lexis Nexis,<br />

http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Darby, John and Roger Mac Ginty. “The Management of Peace Process.” New York: St.<br />

Martin’s Press, LLC, 2000.<br />

Dugger, Celia. “Sri Lanka Rejects Offer of Cease-fire By Rebels.” The New York Times,<br />

May 9 2000,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9E04E7DE1038F93AA35756C0<br />

A9669C8B63<br />

Fuller, Thomas.“European Delegation Fails to Broker Sri Lankan Truce.” The New York<br />

Times, April 30, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Fuller, Thomas. “Sri Lanka Rejects Lectures From Western Countries.” The New York<br />

Times, May 1, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Gargain, Edward. “Sri Lanka Clam In Spite of Slaying.” The New York Times, May 9,<br />

1993,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9F0CE7D71731F93AA35756C0<br />

A965958260<br />

“History of the Conflict in Sri Lanka.” http://www.pbs.org<br />

“India’s Congress Lacks Clear Allies in Sri Lanka.” BBC Monitoring South Asia, May 14,<br />

2004, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com.


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 23<br />

Kingsbury, Damien. “Only Compromise Can Resolve Sri Lanka’s Deadly Nightmare.”<br />

The Age, January 9, 2008, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Levett, Connie. “Unraveling Ceasefire Fails to Halt Bloodshed.” The Age, March 17,<br />

2007, Lexis Nexis, http:///www.lexisnexis.com.<br />

Manogaran, Chelvadurai.“Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka.” Honolulu:<br />

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TAMILSOFFERA_BRF.htmlscp=5&sq=sri%20lanka&st=cse<br />

“Norway Declares Truce Between Sri Lanka Government.” BBC Monitoring South Asia,<br />

February 22, 2002, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Page, Jeremy. “Barbed Wire Villages Raise Fears of Refugee Concentration; Sri Lanka.”<br />

The Times London, February 13, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

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Page, Jeremy. “Female Suicide Bomber Kills 28 as Civilians Flee Last Stand.” The Times<br />

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Page, Jeremy. “Port in a Storm: How Chinese Billions Funded Army’s Battle to Break<br />

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Perera, Shakuntala. “Commentator Accuses India of ‘Hidden Agenda’ in Dealing with<br />

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http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Rajappa, Sam. “Truth Commission: Call For New Era of Reconciliation in Sri Lanka.”<br />

The Statesman, September 29, 2004, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com.<br />

Sabaratnam, Lakshmanan. “Ethnic Attachments in Sri Lanka: Social Changes and<br />

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<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 24<br />

Saltmarsh, Matthew. “Rebels Criticized by Britain and France.” The New York Times,<br />

April 17, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Sappani, Vijay. “The Crisis in Sri Lanka: Canada’s role.” The National Post, February 6,<br />

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“Sri Lanka Forces Surround Tamil Rebels.” The New York Times, May 16, 2009, Lexis<br />

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http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/world/asia/16lanka.html.<br />

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“Toll Put at 1,300 in Sri Lanka After Week of Heavy Fighting,” The New York Times,<br />

October 1, 1998,<br />

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9B0DE0DF1738F932A35753C1<br />

A96E958260<br />

“UN Demands Full Access to Sri Lanka Refugees.” CNN, May 19, 2009,<br />

http://www.edition.cnn.com<br />

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World Monitoring South Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 25<br />

Weisman, Steven. “Tamils Dashing Indian Hopes for Peace in Sri Lanka.” The New York<br />

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http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres=9B0DE6DE153AF93BA25753C1<br />

A961948260&sec=&spon=&&scp=1&sq=%20Indo-<br />

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November 28, 2008, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com


<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 26<br />

Works Consulted<br />

Beeston, Richard. “Thousands Flee Air Raids as Enemies Trade Threats.” The Times<br />

London, April 27, 2006, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Bone, James. “UN Offers Help for Postwar Settlement.” The Times London, May 19,<br />

2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com<br />

Bosleigh, Robert. “Claims of Massacre as Tiger Leaders Die.” The Times London, May<br />

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<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 27<br />

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<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 28<br />

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<strong>Rutgers</strong> <strong>Model</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong> 29<br />

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