Mr Balasingham said that the Tigers were willing to settle for a political solution within a unified Sri Lanka, but warned that if Tamils are not granted substantial autonomy, then they would be compelled to take up arms for political independence and statehood. He assured that the LTTE would not use an interim administration in the north-east as a stepping-stone to separation.
Although the LTTE has been making similar statements since 1996, observers believe that the announcement during peace talks is significant. They say that the declaration removes a major obstacle for smooth negotiations and more support for peace may now be forthcoming from the Sinhalese community. This will also make life easier for the Sri Lankan government, which, for its part, has removed the ban on the Tigers.
The three-day peace talks commenced on 16 September at Sattahip naval base, 80 miles south of Bangkok, amidst heavy security. A number of issues, including landmines and reconstruction were discussed. Both parties agreed to appoint a Joint Committee on High Security Zones and a Joint Task Force for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Activities (JTF). The JTF will initially concentrate on removal of landmines and resettlement of internally displaced people. The next round of talks will take place in Thailand from 31 October to 3 November.
After the peace conference, the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE jointly urged the international community to provide aid for reconstruction of the north-east region. The World Bank representative in Colombo expressed the view that the joint appeal may encourage a positive response from governments and international financial institutions.
As Norwegian special envoy Erik Solheim left to brief the Indian government on developments in Thailand, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, addressing the 57th session of the UN General Assembly on 18 September, also called for international assistance, stressing that economic development of the island was vital in healing the wounds of war. Sri Lanka says $500 million is needed in the next five years for post-war reconstruction.
The parties agreed to continue expanding confidence-building measures. The LTTE’s peace secretariat was opened in Kilinochchi in September to co-ordinate peace activities. Norwegian ambassador Jon Westborg discussed strengthening of the secretariat during a meeting with LTTE’s SP Thamilchelvan on 25 September. The government has set up a peace secretariat in Colombo.
In another unexpected development, the Army provided protection to 285 LTTE cadre visiting the Vanni from the Eastern Province on 24 September. After several weeks of delay, the government and the LTTE exchanged prisoners of war on 28 September at Omanthai, seven miles north of Vavuniya. Seven soldiers and 11 Tigers were freed in the presence of Defence Secretary Ostin Fernando and LTTE’s northern commander Deepan.
Despite the apparent success of the peace talks, there was no pause in opposition pressure on the government. The opposition People’s Liberation Front (JVP) and the Buddhist Bikkhu Front demonstrated in Colombo Fort suburb on 3 September, opposing peace talks with the LTTE and accusing the government of treason. The ruling United National Front (UNF) organised its own rally on 9 September in the capital to demonstrate to the international community, the eagerness of the people for peace. Opposition People’s Alliance (PA) leader President Chandrika Kumaratunge’s demand in early September that her representative should also participate in the peace talks in Thailand, had been rejected by the government.
On 20 September, Justice minister WJM Lokkubandara tabled the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament. The Amendment seeks to remove the power of the President to dissolve Parliament after one year from the date of a general election. Presidential spokesman Harim Peiris says that the President wishes political cohabitation to solve the conflict and accuses the government of deepening the crisis by introducing the Amendment.
President Chandrika wants the LTTE disarmed before the formation of any interim administration for the north-east region. She is also insisting that peace talks must go beyond post-war reconstruction to issues aimed at resolving the conflict. Referring to these issues, Colombo journal Pravada says: "The LTTE’s vision and strategy for regional autonomy presupposes linking their quasi-state to the Sri Lankan state. In that sense, disarming of the LTTE, or de-commissioning of their weapons or dissolving their fighting units might not be negotiable issues. As much as the LTTE has become flexible, by retreating from the project of a separate state, the government will have to be equally flexible to keep the doors of Sri Lanka’s state open for the regional autonomous entity that is represented by the LTTE".