Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - The state of emergency continues, but hopes for peace resist while government and Tamil minority leaders negotiate to improve the situation. Civil society and religious organisations hope that following talks in Geneva in February, the peace process will advance. Local sources say the situation in Sri Lanka is stable but talks between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE must produce fruit
In the meantime the authorities have decided to extend the state of emergency declared in Sri Lanka following the assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, in Colombo in August of last year 2005. The government said after the February talks episode of violence have diminished considerably as the country prepares for yet another election this time administrative on 30 March.
Premier Rantasiri Wickremanayake said after the meeting between the government and separatist Tamils to revise the conditions of the cease-fire agreement signed in February 2002 there has been less violence. The parties are due to meet for another round of talks in Geneva in April. However the peace process is hampered by a faction of the LTTE led by commander Karuna which is against negotiations. The situation of instability and insecurity in the north and east mainly Tamil led to the postponement of administrative elections due to be held last September 30.
The local Catholic Church Sri Lanka, at this crucial stage continues to promote reconciliation: “A united effort for peace is imperative. As the Catholic community we have always stressed the need for a political solution to enable our people live in peace and dignity” said Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo in a recent message. (Agenzia Fides 22/3/2006 righe 25 parole 254)
