Australia is concerned about the Sri Lankan Government's announcement that it intends to withdraw from the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.  This is a step backwards which Australia fears could lead to further escalation of violence, including against civilians.  I appeal to all parties to the conflict to protect the human rights of all Sri Lankans.  Sri Lanka's conflict cannot be resolved militarily.  Only a negotiated settlement can bring lasting peace.  I urge all involved parties to submit to democratic processes and the rule of law and to work towards a political solution that meets the aspirations of all Sri Lankans. The Hon Stephen Smith MP MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The press release issued by the SLMM follows:

3 January 2008
SLMM Statement

The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement of 2002 between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam effective as of 16 January 2008. Thus the SLMM will terminate its current operational activities in Sri Lanka effective 16 January at 1900 hrs.

The Nordic countries regret the decision by the Government of Sri Lanka to withdraw from the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement

The Government of Sri Lanka has formally notified Norway of its decision of 2 January to terminate the Ceasefire Agreement with effect from 16 January 2008. As the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission derives its mandate from this agreement, the Sri Lankan Government expects the mission to cease its operations from the same date.

This decision comes at a time when the Government and LTTE are engaging in a high level of hostilities in a war-like situation with large-scale displacement of civilians and repeated violations of human rights. The Nordic countries are deeply concerned about the worsening situation in Sri Lanka, an overall development which now have reached the point where one party terminates the Agreement.

The Ceasefire Agreement was concluded between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in February 2002 and has lasted for almost six years. It served as the fundament for the peace process and for international efforts to assist Sri Lanka in its attempt to end its long history of conflict. At the request of the parties, the Nordic countries set up a civilian mission to monitor adherence to the ceasefire, both with regard to cessation of hostilities and restoration of normalcy.

The Ceasefire Agreement had a number of positive consequences. During the first three years, conflict-related casualties dropped to almost zero, which means that as many as 10 000 lives may have been spared. The agreement allowed for greater freedom of movement for all people in Sri Lanka, and opened for economic development. It also improved the human rights situation and the protection of civilians. However, violations of the Agreement have been particularly numerous and increasingly serious during the past two years.

The Nordic countries are worried that the violence and human suffering will now further escalate. The withdrawal of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission will mean the end of an important mechanism that protected civilians and gave a voice to the victims and their families.

The Nordic countries believe that only a political solution that addresses the grievances of all the ethnic groups in the country can provide a sustainable peace. The termination of the Ceasefire Agreement will only make it more difficult to find a way back to the negotiating table.

The Nordic countries are both grateful for and proud of the efforts and contributions made by the international and local monitors and staff of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission under very demanding circumstances.

Jonas Gahr Støre,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Iceland
Per Stig Möller,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denmark
Carl Bildt,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Ilkka Kanerva,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finland