Peace Mumbai - a peace initiative from India sent representatives to Sri Lanka in October 2006. This report presents their findings.

The island of Sri Lanka is in turmoil for last more than two decades. The escalating conflict and the bloodshed and suffering that accompanies it in last few months underscore the fact that Cease Fire Agreement of 2002 (CFA henceforth) exists only on paper. The recent break down of the peace talks between Sri Lankan government and LTTE in Geneva in October 2006 has dealt a severe blow to the peace process. The ‘hope’ generated by two main political parties coming together that there will now be serious efforts to work towards a peaceful solution to the Ethnic conflict is fast withering away. The overall atmosphere is that of despair and almost complete lack of trust.

It is in this background Peace Mumbai, a conglomeration of various organizations active in Mumbai on the issues of Peace, decided to send a Peace Mission to Sri Lanka. Mandated by the resolution made at the “Peace and Justice in South Asia conference” organized by Peace Mumbai in Mumbai, India on Feb. 26-28, 2006 to facilitate peace missions to various areas in South Asia, the initiative was taken by leading peace activists and organizations in Sri Lanka like Nimalka Fernando (International Movement Against all Forms of Discrimination and Racism), Mohammed Mahuruf (Cordaid).

The mission visited Sri Lanka between 30th October & 3rd November, 2006. The mission met up with political leaders of all hues includingministers, civil society groups, media activists, intellectuals and policy analysts as well as the victims of hostilities between Sri Lanka Government and Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The mission traveled within Colombo and to Kantalai, (Dist. Trincomalee) but could not visit many other places in North and East in spite of strong desire. It could not get the requisite permission from the concerned authorities.

The complete report is attached and can be read here.