The government's declaration triggered a series of ministerial measures to create a climate conducive for a permanent ceasefire and peace negotiations. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe had already met Government Agents from the north to determine the extent of needs of the population, particularly in the Vanni region. The people in northern districts have suffered immensely as a result of the economic blockade imposed by previous regimes.
On 21 December, Rehabilitation minister Jayalath Jayawardena gave instructions to keep the checkpoint at Pramanalankulam in northern Sri Lanka open five days a week, to facilitate civilian crossing between LTTE-controlled Vanni and Army-held Vavuniya. People were earlier allowed to use the crossing point only three days a week.
Mr Jayawardena said that the number food lorries crossing Pramanalankulam into the Vanni will be immediately increased from 22 to 30 a day. Internal Security minister John Amaratunge issued orders on the same day for the removal of all the military checkpoints in Colombo. This was a welcome relief to the people of Colombo, particularly the Tamils, who have suffered harassment at the checkpoints.
Mr Wickremasinghe arrived in India on 22 December on a three-day visit, for talks with Indian leaders. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee assured Mr Wickremasinghe that India would play its role in helping the peace process. A joint statement after discussions on bi-lateral ties says that India has reiterated its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
Mr Wickremasinghe contacted Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik on 27 December to request assistance in peace efforts. Norway’s Foreign Minister Jan Petersen indicated the following day that his country will resume its role as peace facilitator. Norway became involved in the process in January 2000, but was sidelined after former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar accused the nation's special envoy Erik Solheim of bias.
Mr Wickremasinghe also announced, in late December, the establishment of a secretariat headed by veteran diplomat Bernard Tilakaratna to promote the peace process. A committee including Constitutional Affairs minister GL Peiris and Economic Reform minister Milinda Moragoda, has also been appointed to consider plans for peace negotiations.
Press reports say that the committee may use the Thimpu principles as a base for proposals to be tabled at negotiations. The Thimpu principles, put forward by moderate as well as militant Tamil groups in 1985, demand the recognition of the Tamils as a distinct nation, a Tamil homeland in north-east Sri Lanka and the Tamil right to self-determination.
Even after the ceasefire came into force on 24 December, the security forces continued search operations in the north-east. Army spokesman Sanath Karunaratne says that operations would continue, but assures that there will be no air strikes. According to Defence minister Tilak Marapane, the government has no intention now to disarm Tamil groups such as the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP). But in Colombo, members of the groups would be required to obtain permission to retain weapons for personal safety. The EPDP is an ally of the People’s Alliance (PA) which was defeated in the general election.
There is already tension between PA leader President Chandrika Kumaratunge and United National Front (UNF) leader Mr Wickremasinghe. The President enjoys wide powers and is the head of state, the executive and the government. She is also the head of the Cabinet. She is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has the power to declare war and peace. Mr Wickremasinghe would have little room for manoeuvre in the face such power and may find it difficult to implement decisions without the President’s assent.
Some UNF MPs suggest that the party may be considering an impeachment motion in Parliament against the President. But the parliamentary procedure under the Constitution for the removal of the President by impeachment is difficult and requires an enquiry by the Supreme Court followed by a two-thirds majority in the legislature.
The Constitution allows the President to dissolve Parliament after the lapse of one year from a general election. She used this option to dissolve the legislature in October. The President may wait for the opportunity to dissolve Parliament again after an year. The casualty in such a war in government would be the peace process. The power struggle between the two main parties has been one of the reasons for the escalation of the conflict. People are not yet convinced that it would be any different this time.