Reply #1: I needed to get some background on this conflict which I got here [View All]

[whistle]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_conflict_in_Sri_Lanka

Why is the U.S. training the SLA?

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Resumption of hostilities

A new crisis, and possibly the resumption of war, emerged in July 2006. The Sri Lankan government claimed the LTTE was blocking a sluice gate in the north-east that provided water to civilians. The Air Force attacked LTTE positions and ground troops began an operation to open the gate.

This prompted the Head of the SLMM to state: "It is definitely the wrong method. It is definitely overkill if you want the water. We sat talking and got clearance from the government and tried to convince the LTTE to have confidence in the government...They dropped a bomb in the vicinity. That's not the right signal."<28>

Following these moves, LTTE political leader S Elilan announced an end to the cease-fire of 2001. Palitha Kohona, a government spokesman, stated that the government is committed to the cease-fire. However, fierce fighting erupted in the vicinity of the gate as well as in Trincomalee. Fighting near the Muslim-majority town of Muttur in early August killed at least 30 civilians and displaced 22 000 residents of the area<29><30>.

The LTTE eventually withdrew from the town of Muttur and it seemed an end to the stalemate was in sight as Norwegian mediators persuaded the Tamil rebels to reopen the sluice gates. However as SLMM truce monitors and rebels approached the reservoir area, the Sri Lankan military recommenced artillery attacks thus forestalling the expected reopening of the gates <31>.

This attack on the rebels and SLMM officials prompted condemnation from SLMM Chief Tommy Lekenmyr, who stated "(The government) have the information that the LTTE has made this offer." "It is quite obvious they are not interested in water. They are interested in something else," "We will blame this on the government." <32>
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