The United States government has shown interest in playing an active role in the Lankan Peace Process. The US has urged the Sri Lankan government and LTTE to restart peace talks as soon as possible.
Mendaka Abeysekera, US to actively take part in Sri Lankan peace process, Nation on Sunday, May 13, 2007.
The United States has halted some aid to Sri Lanka following a steep rise in human rights abuses in the country.
Simon Gardner, US concerned at Sri Lanka abuses, halts some aid, Reuters, May 10, 2007.
Meanwhile US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs has confirmed that assistance to combat LTTE terrorism will be continued.
Deepal Warnakulasuriya, US pledges continued assistance to combat terrorism, Sunday Observer, May 13, 2007.
Terrorist and insurgency organisations thrive on myths and legends built around them and their larger-than-life leaders. The LTTE is no exception.
Col. R Hariharan, Sri Lanka: Winged terror – Hariharan, IPKF, Siber News, May 10, 2007.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has increased spending on the Army, Navy and Air Force by 44 percent this year to a record 139 billion rupees ($1.3 billion).
Ed Johnson and Anusha Ondaatjie, Sri Lankan Economy Threatened by Tamil Rebel Air Wing, Bloomberg, May 11, 2007.
US military sales to Sri Lanka up from $1.4m to $60.8m, Tamil Net, May 12, 2007.
Sympathy for the Tigers in Tamil Nadu, which had once prompted the fisher families to offer prayers for LTTE’s victory in the war for Eelam and ‘freedom’ for their brethren in Sri Lanka, is being changing into resentment.
Jaya Menon, A Sympathy wave turns to anger, Indian Express, May 13, 2007.
United Nations Security Council has warned the LTTE of an unspecified punitive action for continued recruiting of children for its fighting units.
PK Balachandran, UNSC warns LTTE of punishment, but is softer on Karuna, Hindustan Times, May 12, 2007.
Also See:
The idea that the state is prejudiced against a particular ethnic group, in Sri Lanka, is used by non-state actors to justify the continuation of conflict in which children are inevitably targeted.
Child recruitment in South Asian conflicts: A Comparative analysis of Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, Peace Journalism.
Iqbal Athas, Four air raids worse than four wars, Sunday times, May 13, 2007.
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