This will lay the foundation for a resumption of civil war with immense destruction and human suffering for all ethnic communities on the island.
 
The once optimistic peace talks had been unsuccessful due to the incapability of the international community to create the right environment to proceed in the peace process. Most regrettable is the unconstructive role by them in not implementing an even-handed approach and policy to the parties involved, as some members of the self-appointed Sri Lanka’s Co-Chair Donor Group have proscribed one of the parties as a terrorist organization.
 
This unbalanced approach by the international community affected the military balance between the warring parties and resulted in a sharp increase of hostilities. The foremost reason why the parties agreed for international mediation and the establishment of an international recognized cease fire agreement, brokered by the Norwegian peace facilitator in 2002, was all connected to the military balance between the two foes.
 
It must be noted that severe discriminating policies against the Tamil minority have resulted in an armed resistance against the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka; this founded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam at the first place. The banning of one of the involved parties will exclude the particular country from effectively interacting and mediation to put a halt to the ongoing civil war and to implement policies which reflect with the ground situation.
 
Unsuccessful dialogue between the Singhalese majority and Tamil minority and the vicious cycle of war, since the island realised independence in 1948, continues to persist without any hope for reconciliation any time soon. In this context international mediation is needed to break this cycle of war and unacceptable tactics of terrorism, which are executed by all parties involved in the conflict, as civilians are too often deliberately targeted by the parties in their military campaign. 
 
This inexcusable behaviour must be condemned and need to be addressed by the United Nations in order to stop the ongoing abductions, disappearances, extra-juridical killings, aerial bombardments, including the continues violations of child rights in which all warring parties are involved. These unacceptable violations of human rights justify the establishment for a UN human rights monitoring mission on the island in order to stop the culture of impunity. 
 
Though the Tamils have legitimate grievances which must be addressed, as this particular community is a sovereign population with a historic homeland that legitimates their right to self-determination, it must find democratic ways to express their political desires.
Many international entities are not against the Tamil population in Sri Lanka or against their political desires however most of them are only against the current way in how the Tamil leadership are trying to realise their political desires. 
 
The current military leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam should understand that, if they want to participate in the international arena, they have to start the process of changing their structures. This includes distinguishing its military component from the political one, which will allow the process to facilitate a democratic structure in the Tamil homeland. That only will provide an opportunity for the international community to recognise a democratic elected government to enable self-governance in the North and East, as a military regime is unlikely to be officially recognized by the international community. The Tamil Diaspora is obligated to play a more constructive role in realising a democratic change in this military organization as they are part of the international community.
 
The political leadership in Colombo should not exclude itself from reaching a peaceful co-existence with the Tamils by unilaterally abrogating the truce. This is a very unfortunate event and I do hope the moderate Singhalese political parties are able to convince the Singhalese masses to challenge extremism and overcome the differences in order to recommit themselves towards a peaceful solution to this historical conflict instead of walking away from it by morally approving the resumption of a military engagement that can not be won.
 
I appreciate the sincere initiative by the United Kingdom to assist the parties to reach a peaceful settlement however it must first carefully analyse and understand the root causes which led to this historic dispute prior to be able to design and implement innovative policies that will be appreciated by the parties involved, in order to break the current deadlock.
 
Though the United Kingdom shares a great responsibility in achieving a peaceful co-existence between the Tamils and Singhalese, as it is foremost responsible for the current friction in the Sri Lankan society, it must be said that the international community in general must create the right circumstances to achieve a constructive dialogue between the warring parties and to enable them both to interact with the same international community on the basis of equality.
 
Equality, commitment and wisdom are the required ingredients that should be adopted by the parties and the International community’s participation in the peace process. This only can bring this decades old conflict to a peaceful end. I do not assume this longstanding conflict to be resolved in a short period however I maintain to have sincere hope that the parties, with international assistance, are willing to resume the process of diplomacy that will provide the stage for a constructive dialogue that can eventually bring peace and prosperity to all communities on the island.

Singhalese politicians should take clear note of the developments with Kosovo and must understand that by oppressing a minority, division is likely to occur instead of the process to find common grounds for a peaceful co-existence and power-sharing agreement between the different ethnic communities, whom all share a unique part in the history of the island.

Paul Willms
Ex- MP Third Chamber of The Netherlands
23 March 2008