But within two miles the military faced fierce attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and was forced to retreat to the original positions. According to the government, over 260 soldiers were killed and 1,600 wounded. Sources say that a large number lost their limbs and the high casualties has affected the morale of the troops. The LTTE claim that only 70 Tigers died.
Operation Agni Khiela I came within hours of the end of LTTE’s ceasefire at mid-night on 24 April. Earlier, the Tigers had announced they would not extend the ceasefire, accusing the government of failing to reciprocate. The LTTE also blamed the government of intensifying military operations during the ceasefire, killing 160 Tiger cadre and wounding 400. The Army claim that the LTTE violated its own ceasefire 220 times.
Encouraged by the Norwegians, the government and the LTTE, made positive contributions to the peace process in April. But observers are worried that the current fighting may damage peace prospects. NGOs have expressed concern over the failure of the international community to provide vigorous support to the Norwegian peace initiative.
Tiger political wing leader SP Thamilchelvan stressed to the visiting Norwegian ambassador Jon Westborg in the Vanni on 6 April, the importance of both sides agreeing to a ceasefire. Mr Thamilchelvan also told the ambassador that parity of status was vital and the LTTE will not participate in peace talks as a proscribed organisation. The Tigers were banned under Emergency regulations in January 1998, after an attack on the Buddhist holy site, the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. During a meeting with Erik Solheim in London on 19 April, LTTE advisor Anton Balasingham reiterated that the Sri Lankan ban on the LTTE and the economic blockade of the north-east must be removed. Observers say that in the event of peace talks while the LTTE remains banned, the government may face court action for dealing with an illegal organisation.
The Tigers released from custody a soldier and two sailors, captured when they raided the passenger ferry Iris Moana in 1995 and refugee ship Misen in 1997. The LTTE say that the release was to encourage the Norwegian peace effort and to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process. The government declared a ceasefire for 72 hours during the Sinhala Tamil New Year, beginning at mid-night on 13 April. The government also announced that the ban on 25 commodities, including aspirin, eggs and fruit juice, into LTTE-controlled Vanni region would be removed.
In mid-April, the Defence Ministry made public a list of ten LTTE members in custody to be released. But lawyers point out that the Colombo Magistrates Court has already released two people in the list. In the case of five others, the Attorney General’s Department has indicated that there is no evidence against them of LTTE links. Four are said to belong to EPRLF and TELO.
The two major political parties also continued to quarrel, without any prospect for cooperation. The main opposition United National party (UNP) attempted to defeat the government on the budget vote in Parliament on 11 April. It was reported that the UNP had canvassed several members of the ruling People’s Alliance (PA) and had held secret talks with government allies, the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). But President Chandrika ensured support by offering a deputy minister post to CWC MP M Sivalingam. The budget was accepted with a nine-vote majority and the ‘rebellion’ within the PA seemed to have vanished. But a split within the UNP was exposed, as senior members accused leader Ranil Wickremasinghe of double dealing.
Mr Wickremasinghe visited Norway on 12 April for discussions with Norwegian officials. A UNP statement says that he assured the Norwegians his party’s full cooperation towards resolving the conflict, but had emphasized that any solution should preserve the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
Before leaving for Norway, Mr Wickremasinghe had indicated that the UNP would offer its support only if the government observes the bipartisan agreement brokered by former British Home Office minister Liam Fox. The 1997 Fox agreement requires the government to keep the opposition informed of all developments on the conflict.
Mr Wickremasinghe accused the government of not providing any information on talks with the LTTE relating to confidence-building measures. He has also indicated that UNP’s support is dependent on the appointment of independent commissions on Elections, Finance, Police and Public Administration, which should be included in the government’s constitutional reform proposals. The vital cooperation needed between the two parties for the amendment of the Constitution may yet prove to be a major obstacle on the road to peace.