Kadirgamar's killing embroils Sri Lanka in new crisis

The violent death of the foreign minister came at a time when a confused and complex scenario existed about both the civil war and future of the government. Recently, a hope had emerged for a better time both for a settlement of the bloody conflict over Tamil issue and reconciliation of the government with the opposition. The government of president Chandrika Kumaratunga had succeeded in reaching an agreement with the Tamil rebels for relief operations caused by the "Tusnami" and thereby raised hopes for restoration of the stalled peace dialogue between the two sides. The opposition led by former premier Ranil Wickramsinghe pledged to support the deal on the relief works and in the process the differences between the government and opposition had also somewhat narrowed down. But the brighter conditions turned otherwise rather unexpectedly. The supreme court has struck down the government-Tamil accord on disaster management, calling it "illegal" and also questioned the sources of huge funds of billions of dollars from international community and this dealt a serious blow to the government-rebel understanding.

At the same time a key ally of the ruling coalition -- communist JVP -- has withdrawn support from the government protesting the deal with the rebels and this has reduced the government into minority. The situation prompted the opposition to demand midterm polls and political instability was stalking the island state. Both these came as contrary to expected healthy developments. Then occurred the murder of the foreign minister, who was known as a hardliner on the issue of Tamil militancy. The suspicion of the killing has been raised evidently on the Tamil rebels. This means whatever narrowing down of the differences between the government and the rebels had occurred over the "Tsunami' relief operations -- the verdict of the supreme court notwithstanding -- may now go back to square one or even further worse. The killing of Kadirgamar, who was also seen as a likely prime minister in some quarters in the ruling coalition, may also result in new political polarisation.

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The peace talks are stalemated for long and took a beating following exit from power of former prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe, whose government had initiated the dialogue with the rebels but was dismissed by president Chandrika evidently for the former's being "soft" to the Tamil militants. The elections that followed brought Chandrika's supporters in power under a new prime minister Mahindra Rajapakse and chances of a settlement of two-decade old civil war through discussions have since been hanging in the balance. Kadirgamar, who was also foreign minister from 1996-2001 in the previous Freedom party-led coalition, again became minister with the same portfolio when the coalition was back to power last year following midterm polls. He held strong views against the Tamil militancy although favoured continuing of the peace process without much concessions.

Six rounds of talks between the government and the Tamil Tigers during Ranil's time raised hopes for a negotiated settlement of the contentious civil war in the country, which was virtually bleeding to white because of the long drawn conflict centering minority Tamil's armed struggle for a separate homeland in the north of the country. There was no decisive outcome of the civil war as the success in the battlefield swung from one side to the other and occasional cease fire produced no tangible results and hostilities resumed in quick time. However, situation marked a qualitative change when the government of prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe took an active pro-peace policy with the rebels over three years ago, which facilitated a dialogue that went for several rounds in different venues abroad making some progress in the vexed problem.

While it will be height to folly of expect easy resolution of the Sri Lankan civil war given the complexities involved in the issue, the dialogue gave hopes since both sides made significant concessions. The government conceded to some demands of Tigers while the later abandoned their main position -- an independent state for the Tamils -- and agreed for autonomy. The road to peace through negotiations is undoubtedly bumpy but what was remarkably encouraging was the marked willingness to find common ground towards a permanent settlement of the problem. Notwithstanding differences on some key areas, both sides demonstrated commendable attitude in carrying forward the parleys. Admittedly, talks occasionally went into rough weather and even at one stage had been suspended indefinitely but both sides never spoke of chances of resuming hostilities. The deal on "Tsunami" relief operations brought them little closer ,but serious differences between two sides persisted.

Laxman Kadirgamar was an influential figure in the government both as a politician and foreign minister. He was playing a key role in matters with Tamil militants since international community was also involved in the process. The foreign minister earned wrath of the rebels as he succeeded in getting the rebels black listed with several foreign governments and agencies. Besides being a Tamil himself, the oxford-educated lawyer turned politician was seen as "traitor" by the militants. He was clearly on the high list of "targets" and this is borne out by the fact that he was being guarded by more than 100 elite forces. Still, the laxity in the security cost his life.

Kadirgamar's killing will definitely exacerbate the government-rebel differences although the militants denied their involvement in the murder. But their late denial after initial silence may be difficult for the government to swallow. President Chandrika, visibly shocked and badly loser by the death of one of her closest aides, has blamed "political enemies" without directly blaming the rebels. The connotation may broadly include political opponents as well or even others. However, the main suspects are obviously the Tamil militants. The development has raised fears of resuming hostilities between the two sides. However, president Chandrika's observation that she wants to carry on the peace process despite this killing may not result in immediate increase in acrimonies. The killing may spawn new equations within the ruling coalition. The government's former ally communist JVP favoured Kadirgamar as prime minister for his status and tough attitude towards the Tamils. The death may also affect international involvement in the peace process like that of the Norwegian government, which mainly brokered the peace initiatives.

Laxman Kadirgamar was a respected figure in international arena and South Asia in particular. His commitments to the SAARC and South Asian fraternity is wellknown during his two stints as foreign minister. It is not only the Sri Lanka but the region will miss him as well.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is a senior journalist.