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Political and media attention at this time appears to be focusing more on the shortcomings of the peace process rather than its strengths. This is creating a negative climate of opinion in which the benefits of the ceasefire agreement, such as the savings of life (of about 1500 persons based on a average death toll of 10 per day), are being taken for granted or downplayed. Any erosion in public confidence in the peace process will make it more difficult for the next steps forward to be taken, such as the lifting of the ban on the LTTE and commencement of direct negotiations.

An important confidence-building measure could be an increased emphasis on human rights issues. Several civic organisations have pointed out that the human rights situation in the north and east is poor and has to be improved. The NPC believes that the government and LTTE should sign a human rights agreement to accompany the ceasefire agreement and thereby restore public confidence in their bona fides vis-a-vis the public welfare. At the same time we call for an independent human rights monitoring body with Sri Lankan and international participation to be set up in terms of this agreement.

The NPC is also concerned that partisan political considerations are contributing to a one-sided and overly adverse assessment of the ceasefire agreement. The high degree of political polarisation in the country that permeates institutions in general, including the mass media, must not become an obstacle to the peace process. In particular, we view the inability or unwillingness of the government to get the opposition on board the peace process as a major contributory factor to the rise in anti-peace propaganda.

A key reason for the mainstream opposition's refusal to cooperate with the government at this time is its sense of political grievance rather than a fundamental antipathy to the peace process. Senior opposition leaders complain of both political harassment and of exclusion by the government. Accordingly, the NPC calls on the government to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the opposition that takes their mutual concerns into account. A bipartisan approach is crucial to sustaining the peace process in the longer term and in upholding the national interest over partisan ones.

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