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Backroom diplomacy
that propelled peace
process in Hakone

Inside Politics  By Suranimala While tension prevailed in the run up to the sixth round of peace talks in Hakone, Japan following the Mullaitivu incident, backroom diplomacy and international pressure saw compromises reached and the talks ending on an optimistic note. On the eve of the talks, speculation was rife that the LTTE would at least stage a token walkout as a mark of protest following the death of 11 cadres in the Mullaitivu incident and this saw both the Norwegian facilitators and Japan's Special Envoy to Sri Lanka,

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Smoke billows from Iraq's Planning Ministry in Baghdad. Missiles fired by US forces targeted government buildings including the Planning Ministry (AFP)

LTTE abandons armed struggle

By Lasantha Wickremetunge in Hakone, Japan

The LTTE on Friday (21), announced that it has now abandoned the armed struggle for separation and also abandoned violence, but accused the media of creating paranoia in the south of an arms build up by the organisation  to help 'racist' parties like the JVP.

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Spotlight

Iraq war: Repercussions
for Sri Lanka

By Asgar Hussein and Frederica Jansz

Sri Lanka stands to suffer serious economic repercussions if the war in Iraq drags on and spreads outside its borders. Such a scenario could result in migrant workers being repatriated, tea exports slumping, tourism declining and the cost of living rising due to increased oil prices.

However, a short term conflict is unlikely to have very adverse consequences.

Analysts believe that if the war drags on for over two months, the global economy and business confidence will be badly hit.

Baghdad dominates Diyawanna

"We would like to see action within the scope of the UN resolution"

A post-mortem of the Monitors' report