Turning point in Sri Lanka

THE MOST FITTING response to the significant military victory scored by the Tamil Tigers in the capture of Elephant Pass will be for the two major parties, the ruling People's Alliance and the Opposition UNP to give up their mutual antagonism and resolve to seek a political solution based on the devolution proposals already on the table. The moment for collective political action has arrived. The capture of the strategically vital pass by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is the most serious setback that peace has suffered in the island in the past five years and must considerably enhance the bargaining power of the rebels as the latest peace initiative moves forward. The military action by the separatists contains basically two messages. One, that the Tigers feel pressured by the Oslo initiative, the first genuine international effort to help end the long civil war, coupled with the fact that for the first time in recent memory the main majority Sinhala political parties seem inclined to some broad agreement on the approach to the ``facilitation'' by Norway, raising the possibility of a joint national front to push for peace. Second is the LTTE's evident need to gain as much leverage as possible through military action prior to the impending talks- on-talks phase of the peace process.

Having lost ground, the Sri Lankan Government must see its options narrowed and its manoeuvrability reduced. For the present disadvantaged position, the Sinhala parties must blame themselves for their lack of vision and of the spirit of accommodation. Sinhala chauvinism enthroned the LTTE, enabling the outfit to systematically eliminate moderate Tamil groups and leading to the current military stalemate which is but an extension of the political stalemate in the island over the Tamils question. The Chandrika Kumaratunga Government's bold initiatives to reach out to all sections of the Tamil population through a devolution package were frustrated by the refusal of the United National Party to extend support. This came grudgingly two months ago and has resulted in some movement toward a peace effort. The Tigers will undoubtedly step up pressure on the military to try and gain more advantage on the ground. Their latest gains can be neutralised only if the political leadership unites wholeheartedly behind the effort of the President, Ms. Kumaratunga.

It is the tragedy of Sri Lanka that the LTTE has entrenched itself deep enough to have destroyed all other political alternatives in the Tamil community. The LTTE today stands condemned as perhaps the only dreaded terrorist outfit of its kind, pursuing a civil war that has brought immeasurable suffering on the innocent population. The Tigers supremo, Prabakaran, autocratic and untrustworthy and ready to sacrifice whole generations to achieve his ambitions, certainly deserves no empathy. He is not in need of supporters like Mr. Vaiko, the member of Parliament from Tamil Nadu whose activities must cause embarrassment to Delhi and concern in Chennai. The Tigers' assault, not altogether unanticipated, must jolt the People's Alliance Government and the Sinhalese parties alike out of their lethargy. If they agree on the devolution package and enabling constitutional reforms and get them through Parliament with the support of the Tamil and Muslim parties, the peace effort will get a self-sustaining boost and deliver a strong and clear message to the separatists, much stronger than what the military has been able to do.

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