The Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Ilankai Tamil Sangam

Most of the countries in the diplomatic front that were behind
the Sudanese peace process are also behind the peace process in
Sri Lanka. These countries have helped the two waring Nations
in Sudan to agree to an interim federal system with a central
government and a regional government for Southern Sudan with
substantial powers for 6 years. This 6 year period is considered
an interim period in which there will be two separate armed forces,
with a joint coordinating mechanism, to be maintained in the
North and South. At the end of this 6 year interim period, people
of the South Sudan will decide the final settlement through a
referendum vote based on their right to self-determination.
If the IC has supported and encouraged such a solution to the
Sudan conflict with an interim arrangement, accommodating the
functioning of the armed forces of both sides, can the same IC
refuse the demand of the Tamil people of the North-East of Sri
Lanka for an ISGA in their homeland?
Considering the positions spelt out by both the leaders, Rajapakse
and Pirapakaran, the only possible way to avert a resumption of
hostilities in Sri Lanka is for the IC to come up with a similar
interim arrangement to the one they have sponsored in Sudan.
The only difference may be President al-Bashir of Sudan is not
a prisoner of extremist parties like Rajapakse is to the JVP and
JHU in Sri Lanka. The only way for Rajapakse to become another
President al-Bashir is to hold a parliamentary election and form
a stronger government with his own SLFP, leaving the JVP and
JHU out.
More importantly, India needs to be prepared to help Norway and
the rest of the IC by playing the role Kenya played in Sudan.
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