"U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka , Jeffrey Lunstead, U.S Commander of U.S Disaster Response Assessment Team (DRAT), Colonel Thomas Collins, and a USAID representative said in a press conference held at Hotel Galladhari in Colombo Saturday afternoon that 1300 U.S Marines are to arrive in Colombo in a U.S Essex class aircraft carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard, equipped with a helipad and supporting five helicopters on board. The Aircraft Carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard, which is to support full fledged U.S rescue operations in Galle, Amparai, Trincomalee and Jaffna coasts is also equipped with five small scale hovercrafts, the officials said in the press conference. The hovercrafts will engage in point to point rescue operations along the coasts, the officials added.A C-130 cargo carrier aircraft will also be supporting the rescue effort, the Ambassasdor said during the press conference.200 US Marines are expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning to setup the required Command and Control system for the rescue operations."

Plans to put a Marine expeditionary unit ashore on Sri Lanka with heavy equipment, however, have been put on hold. After being informed that Colombo was scaling down its request for help, the Bonhomme Richard and another US warship cancelled plans to spearhead relief efforts off Sri Lanka’s coast and have instead joined the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its battle group off Sumatra... Though no firm plans had been set, due to the uncertainty of the situation, the Marines had hoped to put more than 1,000 troops ashore in Sri Lanka to help clear roads and build shelters for refugees.The Bonhomme Richard, carrying more than 1,300 Marines, has three hovercraft capable of putting the troops ashore by the hundred on almost any kind of beach.All are fully loaded and ready to go.But for the time being, that capability will not be used...Part of the reason is clearly political."

India has no problems about American troops performing relief operations in the tsunami-affected Sri Lanka, the Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, said here today. He also said that the "core group" of nations coordinating relief operations — which included India and the United States — had been disbanded.

"Pledging USD 25 million for immediate relief and reconstruction of Sri Lanka, US Secretaryof State Colin Powell said in a press briefing held at the runway at the Bandaranayake Memorial Airport, Katunayake Colombo, that US military presence will not affect the ongoing peace process. Responding to a question about how long the US military would stay, he said they would remain long as it is required by the Sri Lankan government and would ensure that the reconstruction and rehabilitation work is complete..."

The United States Ship Duluth arrived off the coast of Galle on Sunday evening, carrying equipment and personnel to aid in the U.S. government's humanitarian relief operations in the tsunami-affected areas of the island. The Duluth, whose home port is San Diego, California, belongs to the Amphibious Transport Dock class of ships, designed to transport landing forces for a variety of missions, including humanitarian aid. The Duluth is carrying three CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopters, engineering and earthmoving equipment and over one hundred Marine personnel.

"In the opinion of many monks, a decentralized political structure – for example, along federal lines – would contradict two basic tenets of Buddhist teaching: Sri Lanka as a sacred land and the Sinhala people as the protectors of Buddhism. This Sinhala Buddhist ideology is powerfully promoted by Buddhist pressure groups, which represent a numerically small yet influential part of the Sinhala electorate. The present study shows that previous peace processes in Sri Lanka have been spoiled by various Buddhist pressure groups that have opposed all attempts to devolve power and to make concessions to the ethnic minorities. Such groups are of considerable importance owing to their easy access to the pri-vately controlled Sinhala media, and furthermore because they are organized across internal divisions within the Buddhist monastic order, the Sangha. In addition, several of the pressure groups draw their members from both monks and laypeople, and they are often associated with particular political parties..."

"The Secretary-General condemns the killings of Mr. E. Kaushalyan, a senior political leader of the LTTE Eastern Province Division, and several colleagues traveling with him, when their vehicle came under attack yesterday evening. He extends his sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of all the victims of these callous killings. The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise calm and restraint so as to avoid actions that could disrupt the Cease-fire Agreement of February 2002 or the long-term interest of peace in Sri Lanka."

Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga warned her main coalition partner that it can leave her government if it continues to obstruct her politically. .. she warned the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP): "If they want to leave, let them leave. I cannot rule like this. They threaten to leave the government even over paltry issues. They are more interested in getting rid of me than doing away with Pirapaharan...When I try to work on a solution (to the ethnic conflict), they say no. no. They say this word is wrong. That letter is not right. They tell us to add this word or add that letter. It is farcical".. "I have to take strong action regardless of who they are. Give me your support. I want to settle this country’s problem before I go home"...

"Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, said in Colombo that the inclusion of a 210 foot US Coastguard Vessel, USS Courageous  will increase our naval power by 75 percent.. Speaking to the media after the ceremony, US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead  was quoted by Sri Lanka State managed Daily News as saying: "I hope the newly added ship will protect Sri Lanka and will help to bring peace to the country. After all it is what we all want.."

"..How will the referendum affect the Tamils of the northeast? The history of independent Sri Lanka has demonstrated that institutions of the central government – in whatever form – have failed to uphold the rights and liberties of the Tamil people. If there indeed were to be a majority in the Tamil areas for ‘federalism’ at the referendum, the government would use it as a popular mandate not to implement devolution power, but as a verdict against separation. That is the trap in the referendum..."

Asymmetries in the peace process: the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran

The United National Party &  P-TOMS - Having it Both Ways?

"If the GOSL wants to continue to have a meaningful role and prevent the exercise of the ultimate right of secession, it would be wise to participate in the process of setting up the ISGA. The longer it delays, the greater would the justification in terms of law for the LTTE to set up the ISGA on its own. The LTTE already has an administration. All that it has to do is to make that administration conform to the ISGA Proposals. If this were to happen, the schism between the two communities on the island would widen further."

"..New Delhi needs always to be conscious of the impact of the Sri Lankan conflict on the Tamils in India. That political necessity and the security risks of Tamil separatist military capabilities impacting on Indian interests is one dimension of India’s policy choices. The political impasse in Sri Lanka on the Tamil question is another dimension. These two combine to lead New Delhi in choosing to play a carefully calibrated and restrained role in the Sri Lanka peace process..."

"..What about the United States? The donor co-chairs’ meeting last month in Washington demonstrated that the U.S. government is still interested in active participation, and prepared to work with both Sri Lanka and the other international players. But to keep the U.S. involved, it will be important to infuse the process with more momentum than it has showed for the past three years. A dynamic peace process, whatever its difficulties, will tend to accelerate; an anemic one will continue to slow down..."

"The Secretary General has mentioned in his letter that as a democratically elected government, GOSL does not determine its actions on the basis of ultimatums. Ultimatum and definite time frames within which to accomplish certain requirements to maintain an agreement are two different matters and we wish to remind here that the Cease Fire Agreement itself has been premised on definite time frames. To amplify it, the CFA contains within it time frames stipulating moving away of the military from occupied positions in places of worship, schools and densely populated habitats and public buildings paving a way for restoration of normalcy. It is relevant to remind the Secretary General that it is on the acknowledgement of the ground reality of two power positions and territories being administered under their respective control, that the CFA has been formulated..."

"..The constitution forced on Tamils by the Sinhala chauvinists and the laws within it are the root cause of the Tamil ethnic problem, their struggle, violation of their rights and their suppression. To find a solution to this problem one must step outside this constitution. There is no sense in searching for a solution to the problem while remaining tied up by the rules that caused the problems in the first instance. Be it the P-TOMS or the interim administration or a permanent solution it can be worked out only after stepping outside the constitution..."

Mr. Anton Balasingham, the chief negotiator and political advisor of the LTTE said five Tamil paramilitary armed groups, including the Karuna group, are being paid and provided with logistic support by the Sri Lanka security forces in a covert military campaign" to destabilise the Eastern province and to paralyse the LTTE’s political engagement in the region."

"The members of the Security Council learned, with great sadness and a deep sense of loss, of the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, on 12 August 2005. The members of the Security Council express their condolences and sympathy to his family and the people of Sri Lanka.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemn this senseless act of terrorism. They expect that the case will be speedily investigated and the perpetrators, organizers and their sponsors brought to justice.

The members of the Security Council call on the parties concerned to implement fully the provisions of the Cease-Fire Agreement and to continue their dialogue, in order to attain sustainable peace and stability in the country."

Mr. Anton Balasingham, the political advisor and the chief peace negotiator of the Liberation Tigers, said that the LTTE leadership has accepted the Norwegian invitation to "participate in a review of the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement in order to find practical ways of ensuring full compliance by both parties." Mr. Jan Petersen, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, along with his deputy Mr. Vidar Helgesen met Mr Balasingham at his residence in London last Wednesday and handed over proposals to the LTTE leader Mr. Pirapaharan calling for urgent talks on problems relating to the implementation of the truce. The LTTE leader has positively considered the Norwegian proposals and agreed to send a high level delegation to participate in the talks with the Sri Lanka government, Mr. Balasingham said. The LTTE’s theoretician further revealed that the talks, facilitated by the Norwegians, would be held in Oslo within the next couple of weeks. The discussions will also focus on the escalating violence in the Northeast and other related issues.

"...We stood for administrative decentralization, he stood for federalism. We said how in Sri Lanka's context, federalism and separatism were entwined. He did not necessarily agree, but was eager to hear what we said. He considered them reasoned arguments... The LTTE should not be given visas by these countries. The JVP hopes to hold a major demonstration in London and in capitals of other countries for democracy and against the LTTE. We are asking Britain to deport Mr. Balasingham... If the LTTE resorts to war, as the signs indicate they will, we must prepare for self-defence. We must prepare now. The international community must support us in that legitimate self- defence..."

Norwegian mediators have played a central role in the peace process
The Sri Lankan government has turned down a Tamil Tiger request to hold talks in Norway. The talks to discuss the implementation of the country's three and a half year ceasefire should be held in Sri Lanka, a government spokesman said. The Tigers agreed to talks last week following the assassination of the country's foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

"According to sources, the Indian leaders expressed concern about the "over internationalisation" of the Sri Lankan peace process. ... New Delhi is said to be unhappy with the performance of the "co-chair" of the June 2003 Tokyo Aid Lanka conference. The co-chair (US, EU, Japan and Norway) have arrogated to themselves a role not assigned to them. They style themselves as the "international community" and strut about as the "co-chair of the Sri Lankan peace process". India feels that they have been pampering the LTTE a bit too much and have been ineffective..." more

"It is agreed to protect, defend and preserve the unitary nature of the Sri Lankan state under any solution to be presented, formed or formulated for the purpose of the resolution of the national question," the agreement states. The deal signed on Thursday (8 September) also commits Mr Rajapakse, if elected, to scrap the post-tsunami aid-sharing deal. Leader of the JVP - or People's Liberation Front - Somawansa Amarasinghe said that his party were not afraid of war. "You can't bring peace by being afraid of war," he said.

Prime Minister Rajapakse of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Ellawela Methantha Thera of Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) exchanged agreement for the forthcoming Presidential election at Dalada Maligawa, Kandy Tuesday morning at 11.30am. The parties agreed in principle to terminate talks on the Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) and to find a solution to the ethnic crisis on the basis of a unitary state.

Presidential Election In Sri Lanka: Tweedledum & Tweedeldee? - Sam Rajappa in the Statesman

"...Whereas to the international community and the island’s minorities, federalism is not division, to the Sinhala ultra-nationalists bearing him aloft, it most certainly is. Even if Ranil Wickremesinghe wins – an increasingly unlikely proposition – the Sinhala nationalists will yet undermine the peace process. The ignominious fate of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) is likely to befall every advance in the peace process..."

 "...Enough is enough. I have not reached my 96 years in this world with my eyes shut. I have seen enough of the Senanayakes, Bandaranaikes, Ratwattes, Kotalawelas, Jayawardenes, Wickramasinghes, Premadasas, Pereras and Silvas. There is no denying that they are all genuine, sincere patriots, every one of them - but Sinhalese, not Ceylonese..."

"...Mr Mahinda Rajapakse has brought the Sinhala approach to resolving the Tamil National question a full circle by rejecting the concepts of Tamil home land, right to self determination, federal solution, and the P-TOMS, and re-affirming Tamils belief that the Sinhala south is incapable of shedding the chauvinist mindset, said the editorial of the popular Jaffna Tamil daily 'Uthayan' in its Thursday edition. "The manifesto of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Presidential candidate which is claimed to contain 'Mahinda Doctrine' represents the thinking of a section of the Sinhala south. It represents the collective thoughts of SLFP, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), and constituent leftist parties of the United Peoples Front Alliance (UPFA) and also that of Mr.Vasudeva Nanayakkara," the editiorial said.

" As a practical step for the peace process to make progress, southern polity should mature to provide "political space" for the Sri Lankan government to conduct substantive peace negotiations. This is essential in addition to the most basic precondition that the protagonists be seriously committed to peace and perceive each other as being fully dedicated to resolving the conflict, he says..."
 

"...When asked about the fate of the Karuna Group in the event of Wickremesinghe’s win, Moragoda claimed that the Karuna Group was a product of the peace process of which the UNP was instrumental in creating. Moragoda asserted that the government delegation of the peace talks predicted the creation of Karuna Group. Fellow UNP leader Naveen Dissanayake also claimed in a recent campaign speech in Hatton that UNP created the Karuna faction.

Moragoda spoke about Wickremesinghe “creating the right environment” so “even a cadre who had seen all these positive changes would think twice because he has been offered an alternative to their resolve to die for a cause.” Moragoda insinuated that the “right environment” is one which undermines the people’s resolve to struggle. Moragoda claimed that the role of the peace process and “silencing guns, opening roads and removing barricades” will weaken the LTTE, and not offer any means that will engage them in the peace process. In addition to his statements on weakening the LTTE, Moragoda acknowledged their role in “intercepting (destroying) several LTTE ships with the help of an international intelligence network.” He added that the SLA will not be downsized and in fact will be built up by acquiring more human and material resources. .."

[see also We trapped and split LTTE, sank their ships, says UNP ]