The project in Sri Lanka, Nonviolent Peaceforce's first field project, started as a pilot after the Nonviolent Peaceforce International Convening Event held in India in December 2002. The 130 delegates representing our Member Organizations selected Sri Lanka for the site of our initial project.
Situation in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Women parading in a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam eventAfter 19 year of civil war in Sri Lanka, in early 2002 a ceasefire was concluded between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), who were fighting for independence from the (Sinhalese) Colombo government of the territories inhabited by a majority of Tamils.
Peace negotiations were interrupted in April 2003 and have not resumed since. In the meanwhile, a split in the LTTE, tensions between Muslims and (Hindu) Tamils, and issues around the distribution of aid after the tsunami in December 2004 have contributed to a volatile political climate characterised by a rather high level of politically motivated violence. Since end of 2006, the war de facto has started again.
Sri Lankan Partnerships
NPSL: Election observing with PAFFRELSeveral Sri Lankan organizations invited Nonviolent Peaceforce to support and amplify the work of local and national peacemakers. Upon completing a second round of field research in Sri Lanka, NP established a formal partnership and developed our intervention strategy with: