Lawyer S. L. Gunasekera the author of Pandora's Box and other books on the Sri Lankan conflict, had this to say in his book. What is the present position of these 'moderates'? Not one of them has yet discarded or abandoned any of the four 'basic principles' enunciated by them together with the LTTE at Thimpu-yet they claim that they stand for a united Sri Lanka.… The significant fact which was made evident from the Thimpu Talks is that there is no difference whatsoever between the policies of the LTTE on the one hand and those of the so called 'moderates' such as the TULF, PLOTE, TELO, EPRLF and EROS on the other.…The first two of the non-negotiable basic principles put forward by the so called 'moderates' jointly with the LTTE showed that they would settle for nothing less than a separate state whether so called or by another name".

He was dismissed as being a rabble rouser, and now, we have it from the horse's mouth so-to-say when the TULF's own leader and elder statesman makes the clear and calm confession that there is nothing moderate about the TULF's politics. The LTTE of course has eliminated all its rivals for power in the North, starting with Alfred Duriappah the SLFP Mayor of Jaffna. The TULF's Amirthalingam and the leader of the PLOTE Uma Maheswaran were among those to follow; and there were others within the LTTE's own ranks such as Mahattaya.

It is clear as clear can be that all non- LTTE elements have resigned themselves to the knowledge that one cannot argue with an AK 47 held to one's head, and that they have resigned themselves to the fact that power flows from the barrel of a gun in the North and East. The LTTE diktat, and the recipe for the future is now crystal clear. It is going to be one party rule in the North and the East of the country.

As for those destined to be living under this future administration, they seemed to be resigned to their fate as well. The Kilinochchi Declaration notwithstanding, in which it was said that the LTTE interim administration is in favour of an open market economy, it appears that the "free economy of Thamil Eelam'' is one in which traders are free to do business only with the LTTE's imprimatur. There is a ruckus being created already about a new dress-code for ladies, to wear only sarees - or face the consequence.
It is incumbent therefore for the Sri Lankan government, which works with the concurrence of the international comity of nations, to bring about a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the North East which benefits "all peoples". Such a resolution should encompass the tenets which ensure the rule of law and a system of courts, the prevalence of democracy, good governance and healthy dissent.

A multi-party democracy, with a free press and trade unions within the proposed Interim Administration, are all a sine qua non in whatever devolution package that is to be worked out at the forthcoming negotiations in Thailand.

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