However, the government is unwilling to implement even these old ideas. It is appreciable that President Rajapakse conducted elections firstly to local councils in Batticaloa district in March and then to now de-merged Eastern province in May this year. The post-election governance in the east, however, is not promising. This is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its earnestness over power-sharing with minorities. The opportunity, however, seems to be misused to show to the international community that ‘democracy has been restored in the former fascist areas’. Instead of being a mute spectator, the international community, including India, should involve proactively to seek a political solution to the ethnic question. Why not form a consortium to exert leverage on both antagonists?

The author is Senior Fellow, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi.