The TNA has demanded that future peace talks should be held only with the Tigers, as the representatives of the Tamil people, and there should be no negotiations with any other Tamil party. Observers believe that this position aims at putting an end to the use of the 'divide and rule policy' of successive Sri Lankan governments in denying the legitimate rights of the minorities.
Although the standpoint of the TNA and the rare unity among Tamil parties have been welcomed, some activists have expressed concern that pluralism would be stifled and this may become a difficult problem in the future. They say that the demand for the recognition of the LTTE as the ‘sole representative’, while opposing the existing unitary state in Sri Lanka is a glaring contradiction. Observers say that the Tigers were banned for resorting to violence and the demand for removal of the proscription without renouncing violence is unreasonable.
Mr Prabhakaran warned that if racism continues as the dominant force in Sri Lankan politics, it would create the objective conditions for the emergence of an independent Tamil state. He claimed that because of the deep-seated Sinhalese belief that the ethnic conflict could be resolved by repressive military means, the Sinhalese parties have no concrete proposals for a permanent solution.
Mr Prabhakaran also condemned the People's Alliance (PA) government for rejecting the ceasefire and peace initiative offered by the Tigers in December 2000 and marginalizing the Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim, by accusing him of supporting the LTTE.
In light of the attacks in New York on 11 September, Mr Prabhakaran had a message for Western governments, calling for a clear and comprehensive definition of the concept of terrorism that would distinguish between armed liberation struggles based on self-determination and blind terrorist acts based on fanaticism. He said it was strange that these governments, while understanding the position of Tamils, support Sri Lanka's political and military efforts and contribute to prolongation of the conflict.
Mr Prabhakaran also had a word for the Sinhalese people. Among the contending parties in the general election, he distinguished between the forces that seek peace and extremists who opposed peace efforts. He seemed to indicate that the opposition United National Alliance (UNF) led by the United National Party (UNP) were peace lovers and the ruling PA were opponents of peace.
The UNF campaigned on a peace platform, assuring the people of a ceasefire and peace negotiations with the LTTE on being elected. But the PA's election campaign was for continuing the war. President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Prime Minister Wickremanayake made clear that the PA would intensify the war and go all out to annihilate the LTTE. Mr Prabhakaran reminded the Sinhalese people that ethnic harmony and economic prosperity cannot be realized as long as the Tamils are denied justice and their political aspirations remain unfulfilled.
The general election on 5 December was marred by unprecedented violence. The UNF won the election, securing 109 seats and along with the five seats of its ally Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), gained majority in Parliament. The PA won only 77 seats losing in every district except Moneragala (see Special Issue December 2001).
In the run-up to the elections, the PA accused the UNP of entering into a secret pact with the LTTE, referred to as the Tiger-Elephant Agreement. PA members even produced an audio tape purported to contain conversations between UNP's Jayalath Jayawadena and an LTTE leader. The UNP vehemently denied the allegation and went to great pains to explain to the influential Buddhist monks, the Mahanayake Theros, that there was no such agreement.
Allegations were rife that the government resorted to vote-buying tactics. In November, the government ordered the completion of village-level projects such as small-scale irrigation schemes, health programmes and repair of roads. Rs 5 million ($55,000) was promised for each district. The government also announced wage increase for state employees. But these tactics proved unsuccessful.
Observers say the PA failed to concentrate on the two main problems facing Sri Lanka: ‘the ethnic conflict and the economy’. In a number of opinion polls, more than 65% of the people said that the government should solve the ethnic conflict by peaceful means. The LTTE assault on Colombo airport in July and the Twin Tower attacks in New York in September have had a devastating impact on the economy and Sri Lanka is said to be poised to record its worst economic performance in decades. Majority of the Sri Lankan people are of the opinion that the UNP will be better able to manage the economy than the PA.