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The Oldest English Newspaper in South Asia
Founded 4.2.1834
P. O. Box 1217,
35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha,
Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
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Propaganda cease-fire

The cease-fire between the Government forces and the LTTE is now in its second month and moves are under way to ensure that the cessation of military hostilities is consolidated by means of a cease-fire agreement between the two sides.

The Norwegian facilitation team that has been shuttling between the two sides, is now in Colombo after its latest meeting with LTTE representatives in London. Hopefully, it will not be long before the current ad hoc cease-fire is made stable.

This stability then becomes a conducive environment for moving ahead to the next stage of the peace process.

However, the cessation of hostilities on the battlefield must be reflected by a similar 'cease-fire' in the propaganda war.

The Sri Lankan national media, both private and Government-owned, has largely lent its voice in support of the renewed peace process, and the expressions of the public that is channelled through the mass media also seems to largely represent a popular yearning for a political settlement of the conflict and an end to war.

The propaganda war on the side of the LTTE, however, seems to be continuing.

LTTE spokesperson Dr. Anton Balasingham recently fired off a salvo against President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for her comments on reports that the LTTE was persisting with the recruitment of child soldiers. While the President was merely commenting on something investigated and reported by others, Dr. Balasingham seemed to imply that the President was attempting to sabotage the delicate peace process.

The very Website and the magazines published by the LTTE that carried Dr. Balasingham's remarks, however, are replete with virulent propaganda against the Sri Lankan State.

The LTTE likes to claim that it is the 'sole representative' of the Tamil people. Even if it is not the 'sole' representative, it is certainly the most powerful one and must then behave with propriety incumbent for such a status. The LTTE must ensure that the cease-fire extends to the propaganda war as well.

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