Sunday Times 2
Another book on Sri Lanka’s conflict out soon
View(s):Another foreign author has published a book on Sri Lanka’s worst- ever conflict that tore asunder ethnic relations which is being repaired very slowly. The book is to be launched following a panel discussion at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London on October 28.
This book titled “To End a Civil War” by Mark Salter a long time BBC journalist who has worked in international NGOs and inter-government organisations, is not about war but peace and the efforts to achieve it. It deals principally with the attempts of a small European nation to negotiate a settlement to the vicious clash of arms that claimed the lives of several thousands of Sri Lanka’s citizens of every community.
As the subtitle to the book “Norway’s peace engagement with Sri Lanka” indicates this latest addition to the panoply of publications on the conflict in Sri Lanka recalls the attempts made by Norway to play peace maker but which ultimately foundered when the ceasefire collapsed after nearly five years.
Salter’s book which deals with the ceasefire arrangements in 2002 and the subsequent series of peace negotiations held in both Asian and European countries with the facilitation of Norwegian peace advocates. Among those due to participate are Mark Salter , Erik Solheim, special envoy to Sri Lanka and a principal architect of the peace facilitation; Vidar Helgesen a former Norwegian deputy foreign minister and now Minister for Europe who was also heavily involved in the Norwegian efforts; Suthaharan Nadarajah, lecturer Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy.
Also listed is Sri Lanka’s acting high commissioner Chanaka Talpahewa who according to the blurb announcing the launch is yet to confirm his participation. He is the only Sri Lanka Government official in a panel tilted in Norway’s favour. The 2002 ceasefire agreement which forms the starting point of the Norwegians was signed by RanilWickremesinghe as then prime minister and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Lack of official participation would mean that Sri Lanka’s case goes by default. The discussion is to be chaired by Prof. Michael Hutt, Director of the South Asia Institute.