The talk which was facilitated by the Norwegian peace brokers’ agreed upon to move gradually in a structured manner to tackle the easier issues first and move on difficult ones later. Their nod to continue by meeting twice before the end of this year suggests that the realisation has dawned upon the LTTE and Srilankan government that the path of conflict resolution lays only through the process of dialogue.

The first round of talks mainly focused on the rehabilitation of the north and the east, resettlement of the internally displaced people, de mining and troop’s withdrawal. Though the finer details of the talks have not been made public, the cordial manner in which it concluded suggests that some agreement must have been reached in otherwise seemingly simplistic issues.

However, the big question remains unanswered, how the three accredited position of the LTTE; recognition of Tamils as distinct nationality, reorganisation of North and East as their homeland and their rights of self- determination are going to be handled by the Srilankan government. They have though made it amply clear that government is willing to consider anything within the framework of the unity of the country.

At the end of the talks LTTE’s chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham said through the talks Tamils are seeking “autonomy and self governance” in North and East region of Srilanka. This could be worked out “if both the parties agree to a particular political system and a model of government.” Balasigham added that LTTE’s demand for self determination and homeland is not separatist.

He said that what LTTE seeks is international legitimacy for the administrative structure in the north and east of Srilanka. The Tamil ideologue added that if these demands are not met, then total separation from Srilanka would be the only option left for them.

It may be recalled that the LTTE’s three principle demands were rejected by the Srilankan government in Bhutan’s capital Thimpu in 1985. The government then said that it negated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Srilanka and were inimical to the interests of several communities ethnic and religious in the country.

But going by mood in the first round of talks in Thailand it can be inferred that Srilankan government is showing a great degree of flexibility this time. After the talks, head of the government delegation, G.L Peries sounded cautiously optimistic when he said that it is possible to fulfil LTTE’s aspiration maintaining the unity of the country. But how far Srilankan government may actually go in assuaging the Tamil aspirations can only be known after the conclusion of the final rounds of talks.

The LTTE’s demand of recognition of the North and East as their homeland is subject to its coming to terms with the Muslims who form a sizable section of the population in Eastern province and if rehabilitated in the Northern peninsula too. They feel they would be placed in a vulnerable situation if the Srilankan security forces pull out in the north and east, bringing them under LTTE’s rule and exposing them to harassment and extortion at hands of the rebels.

In Srilanka’s ethnic profile, Sinhalese- Buddhists make up 70 per cent of country’s 20 million people. Tamils who are mainly Hindus constitute about 15 per cent, while Muslims 7 per cent are the third group. Christian’s accounts for about 7 per cent of the total population are found among both Tamils and Sinhalese.

Given the sensitive ethnic balance in Eastern Srilanka, the Muslim factor has become an important factor in the conflict resolution. 31.5 per cent of them live in Eastern province concentrated in the Amparai and Batticaloa districts. They speak Tamil like their Hindu compatriots, but project themselves as a distinct ethnic and cultural identity. Muslim majority eastern district have been described by analysts as the weakest link in the peace process.

Muslims, who had always voted for the Tamil Parties late till eighties, changed their stance since the LTTE started its armed struggle in 1983. Their insecurity has made them closer to successive Governments in Colombo and led them to demand separate administrative units tantamount to what LTTE is demanding from the Srilankan government.

This led to LTTE’s wrath who ordered them to leave the Northern provinces in 1990. As a consequence 50, 000 Muslims were displaced from the Jaffana peninsula and have been living in tents and shanty towns in other parts of the country. It may made clear here that LTTE did not targeted the Muslims due to religious bigotry but to full fill over all strategy to cleanse unsympathetic elements to the cause of the Eelam.

Since the agreement on ceasefire reached with Srilankan Government earlier this year, the LTTE has taken a number of steps to win back support of Tamil speaking Muslims, including agreement to assure safeguards for the Muslims wanting to return to the Northern provinces.

In an agreement signed on 13th April between Srilanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauf Hakeem and LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakran, LTTE vowed not to harass the Muslims in the East. But this promise proved to be short lived as anti Muslim violence erupted in Muttur town in the eastern district of Tricomalii on 6th of May. Then in late in June, a communal conflagration erupted at Valaichchenai town and a few other places in the east. Although there has been no incident since then, a fear has set in among the Muslims raising the doubts about their safety under LTTE dominated administrative rule.

To alley the insecurity, LTTE supremo Prabhakran recognised Rauf Hakeem as the leader of Muslim community and agreed that SLMC should represent the interests of Muslims in the peace talks. Rauf Hakeem, who is part of the government delegation in the first round, is reported to have said that there are implications for the Muslims in every issue that will figure in the future discussions. He is to represent his party and community in subsequent rounds of negotiations and scheduled to meet Prabhakran before the commencement of the second round of talks, to discuss the issue relating to Muslims interest in the unfolding peace process.

In the Srilankan ethnic jigsaw puzzle, there are two knots that has to opened; one between the LTTE and the Srilankan Government, the second between the Tamils and the Muslims. How they are going to unfold remains to be seen in the subsequent rounds of the peace talks. If on 6th of May the first round of talks at Sattahip naval base in Thailand is any indicator, it can be said that the chill winds have blowing in Srilanka and if that is the sign of winter, spring is not far away….