LTTE in a recent act of temporary cease of offensive released a press statement declaring that they would not attack and targets in Sri Lanka for the duration of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Corporation) meeting held in the capital Colombo. The government however did not give any definitive response to the LTTE but reaffirmed their commitment to bringing about an end to the war by means of military action.

In recent years Sri Lanka has limited western observers and media acess to the war torn north of the country. After the peace deal broke down western countries have been pressuring Sri Lankan government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table.

The Sri Lankan armed forces have been having an unusual stroke of luck for the pass few months with a steady movement upwards into the rebel held territory. After a crushing defeat in the 1990’s with the fall of the elephant pass in the north this has given new hope to the government in winning this war.

Traditionally LTTE held vast areas of this jungle island with extensive training grounds and a taxation system on the people living in their area to fund the war. This in turn gave the LTTE the funds to carry out this decades long war. This has however changed with shrinking areas for training and taxation income the LTTE is getting desperate for new recruts and money. They have reportedly started a campaign to persuade to enlist at least one member in every family irrespective of age or gender.

The Sri Lankan government has seen this as a huge success to their campaign. At the recent SAARC meeting the Sri Lankan leader Mahinda Rajapaksa met with the Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh, this meeting opened a new door for a different direction in India’s role in the war. Historically India has remained neutral and officially does not condone any side except for periodic notices of regret over certain incidents. It is viewed India’s corporation is very important as most analysts believe that LTTE gets a significant amount of their war machinery imported from Tamil Nadu (south Indian state).