Minimum Expectations From Erik Solheim's Visit
Daily Mirror Sri Lanka
Opinion
Opinion January 24, 2006
By Jehan Perera
The descent into further violence and hopelessness is making the ongoing visit to Sri Lanka of Norway’s Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, one on which much hope is pinned.
There is the hope that after his visit there will be a revival of the peace
process, or at least an agreement that will stop the violence. As Norway’s special envoy to the peace process for the past five years, Mr. Solheim has gathered a great deal of experience that can be useful in bridging the gap between the government and LTTE.
At a superficial level the signs are positive that there could be a breakthrough that will get the government and LTTE back to the negotiating table. The increased levels of violence have seen a resurgence of civic activism for peace.
Even nationalist groups that have campaigned for a military solution in the past, are subdued in their advocacy of war. Virtually every day there has been some sort of public manifestation for peace, either in the form of a seminar, lighting of lamps or a peace rally. The columns of newspapers are filled with analyses and advice about how to best act in the present situation.
By Jehan Perera
The descent into further violence and hopelessness is making the ongoing visit to Sri Lanka of Norway’s Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, one on which much hope is pinned.
There is the hope that after his visit there will be a revival of the peace
process, or at least an agreement that will stop the violence. As Norway’s special envoy to the peace process for the past five years, Mr. Solheim has gathered a great deal of experience that can be useful in bridging the gap between the government and LTTE.At a superficial level the signs are positive that there could be a breakthrough that will get the government and LTTE back to the negotiating table. The increased levels of violence have seen a resurgence of civic activism for peace.
Even nationalist groups that have campaigned for a military solution in the past, are subdued in their advocacy of war. Virtually every day there has been some sort of public manifestation for peace, either in the form of a seminar, lighting of lamps or a peace rally. The columns of newspapers are filled with analyses and advice about how to best act in the present situation.
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