Sri Lanka: ceasefire ends

A ceasefire between the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formally ends this week.

In truth, the 2002 pact had lacked credibility for some time. Heavy fighting re-erupted in 2006, which has since killed 5,000 people and displaced tens of thousands more.

The Sinhala nationalists who hold sway in Colombo favour war over talks. The government kicked off 2008 by withdrawing from the peace pact, looking as determined as ever to wipe out the Tigers by force. Their strategy has borne fruit. The LTTE have lost ground militarily in the east, and key commanders.

Yet they are well-armed, well-funded and entrenched in the north. Moreover, while their record on human rights and the protection of civilians is dismal, the government has done itself no favours –- attacking the media, unions, left-wing activists and ordinary Tamils. The war will rage on.