According to a published report, the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers rebels accept a six-year interim council as part of a deal with the government, which is considered a milestone in the history of power-sharing. The Sunday Leader, a private newspaper in the capital, states that this proposal requests an administrative group to oversee the northern and eastern regions where the rebels are dominant for six years. During this period, the rebel group will negotiate with Colombo leaders over a constitution that divides power. The Tamil Tigers are expected to submit their proposal for power-sharing to the government this week. The Sunday Leader reports that this proposal is expected to request that the interim government maintain oversight over matters such as land use and policing. The Colombo government had previously offered the Tigers control over issues like reconstruction and settlement in war-torn areas, but no proposal regarding police and security control has been made. Direct peace talks aimed at ending the long-standing ethnic wars are expected to begin early next year.
Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers Rebels Negotiate with Colombo Leaders Over a Power-Sharing Constitution - 2003-10-26
The Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers are negotiating a power-sharing deal with the Colombo government, accepting a six-year interim council to oversee northern and eastern regions. This proposal aims to establish a constitution that divides power, with direct peace talks anticipated to start early next year. The outcome is significant for addressing the long-standing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers have agreed to a six-year interim council to oversee northern and eastern regions, marking a significant step in negotiations for a power-sharing constitution with the Colombo government. This proposal aims to facilitate peace talks and address the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
- The interim council will manage administrative issues in regions dominated by the Tamil Tigers.
- Direct peace talks are expected to begin early next year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Sri Lanka has experienced a protracted civil war primarily between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%