Frieden in Sri Lanka

The same procedure as every year?

Abstract

Since 1983 Sri Lanka is torn apart by bloody civil war between rebels of the Tamil minority population and the Government formed by the majority Sinhalese. During the last decades various attempts at negotiating settlement between the two sides were made, which not only failed abysmally but led to further escalation of the conflict. By comparing these peace talks undertaken till now, the reasons for their failure can be pointed out and the prospects for success of the latest peace initiative assessed. Although the negotiations since 2001 have been welcomed by both the parties to the conflict, still their objectives diverged markedly. Another complicating factor in the peace process is the internal tension between the President and the Prime Minister.