While Colombo has been increasingly engaged in portraying Tamils’ struggle for self-determination as ‘terrorism’ in international fora taking advantage of the changed political climate following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the consequent war on terrorism, Liberation Tigers have exhibited genuine desire to adhere to the international human rights standards by closely engaging with UN agencies,

Optimism stemming from Rajapakse’s reversal on Norway’s role as facilitator is untenable.

The attacks in Jaffna mark a new approach to the ongoing shadow war – and send an unmistakable message to Colombo.

The trend of seeking “diplomatic assurances” allegedly to overcome the risk of torture is very troubling.

‘Many areas of the North and East have become zones of impunity for killers with different motivations and affiliations’

Rajapakse has now won the prize that he has always wanted. It is up to him to abandon his racist allies and pursue peace.

Contemporary views tend not to associate ethno-supremacists with pro-globalisation policies.

The furore over the Tamil boycott ignores a central question: under what conditions is the act of voting central to democratic governance?

There are unassailable limits to the impact the Tamil electorate can have on the island’s political system.

The assertion that peace requires the urgent democratisation of the Northeast conceals an unwillingness to confront two unavoidable realities of Sri Lankan politics.