Parties agreed to stop violence at the two-day summit

The parties met at Chateau de Bossey after the Norwegian Minister for International Development successfully negotiated a meeting in a visit to Sri Lanka in January this year.

This is what you said about the talks:

This forum is now closed. Thank you all for your valuable comments.

CFA is indeed illegal according the 1978 JR's constitution. But, if any Sinhala leader thinks that he can find a solution to the Tamil ethnic problem within the confines of the constitution, he must have slept for the last 50 years! The truth is that no solution can be found within the current constitution. Extra constitutional CFA must be the first step in an eventual extra constitutional solution such as federalism, confedaralism or a separate state.
Vickramanathithyan

Going by the response from the western world towards the outcome of the talks we have to agree on it as a success. But what I fail to understand is why the west cannot look at this success and use the same approach to the problem in Iraq and try to minimize the loss of lives. Is it hard to walk the talk?
Amal Perera, Fargo, USA

Nobody can trust ltte.they will try to get what they want.even ltte is not represant all tamills but they try to.
Rana Ranasinghe, Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva talks is a turning point for implementing CFA. Peace lovers would appreciate it. In UK small group of white people are supporting to BNP(Racist Party).In Sri Lanka majority Sinhalese people are supporting to JVP & JHU. This is not good for the country's future. JVP is a formar terrorist group and JHU is a bunch of racist monks. Lord Buddha was against the war and violence but these Buddist Monks are encouraging the killings and violence. Ranil and LTTE leader saved many human lifes signing in the CFA.
Malini, London, UK

What Sri Lanka needs is economic development. All peoples want health, education and jobs. In a modern world, its not govts that provide opportunity its the free market and the opportunities that it provides. There will be no terrorists if this was the case, because why fight when you can live and earn money! LTTE knows that, you normalise SL and they will be redundant and loose power. Thats why they are always trying to disrupt any attempts for peace. They do not care about the Tamil people!!
Ed, London, UK

The Geneva talks are only about the ceasefire aggreement. I think Norway and the international community played vital role for that. Without the international community we cannot achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict. Congradulations Norway!! Congradulations international community!
Professor Jayantha Seneviratne, Colombo, Sri Lanka

It is definetely LTTE's cruelty stopping the peace in Sri Lanka. They must lay down arms and come to the political arena. They should contest the elections allowing other Tamil political parties to campaign in their territory. LTTE knows they cannot gain the mandate from majority Tamils. That is why they don't lay down weapons.
Shiva Kumaran, Manchester, UK

The only way to bring peace to Sri Lanka by disarming the LTTE, and the International Community, India and USA in particular, should stand by the government. LTTE does not wish to bring about a peaceful negotiating settlement to the conflict, carrying on peace process is a waste of time allowing the rebels to regroup themselves and launch attacks on the government forces. LTTE has deceived the Tamil people and their wishes and made them vulnerable during the past 22 years.
Jagath Fernando, Colombo, Sri Lanka

The only way as far as I am concerned to solve the problem is to respect and accept each other and also accept that Sri Lanka is one country and will stay that way. Within that framework, one should create checks and balances so that both parties have equal rights and are represented in the parliament by their freely elected representatives and they in turn represent their people and fulfill their wishes. However, I don't see this happening as long as there is no honest broker to bring the parties together to achieve this as Norway is definietly not an honest broker. It is high time that some other country who will be impartial takes over the role of mediator to bring the parties together.
Andrew Pieris, Heerhugowaard, Holland

People should be treated equally. This can be achieved through the implementation of 'English' being State Language and Tamil + Singlese being national languages. The second step would be more transparency of state and private services in shedding light to the lives of more skilled and abled majority of the population over existing elite minority domination. Organization structures need to be changed from the out dated military structure to customer oriented settings.
Ramya Welihena, Epsom, New Zealand

Peace talks are a waste of money. LTTE is not interested in real peace. They will enter war again soon. Government has to think about this reality.
Sudh, Colombo, Sri Lanka

The talks in Geneva are only about the Ceasefire agreement and not a negotiation for a solution for the conflict. Ceasefire agreement should hold and normalisation is necessary to conduct negotiations to solve the conflict.
Sivarajah Kanapathipillai, Tromso, Norway

Sri Lankan government will never gain a peace deal with LTTE without taking action to unite political parties. Especially UNP & SLFP. I think both parties must come to conclusion, then LTTE will have to accept an offer, as the majority of people back these 2 parties. With out unity in the SOUTH there will be no PEACE in the NORTH & EAST.
Praneetha Gamage, Dubai, UAE

Problems should be solved with tolerance and mutual understanding. So the dialogue is the best way to find solutions. Nothing has been achieved by bullet or bomb during the last 20 years. We see the present President is taking a genuine effort to bring lasting solution to this issue with the consent of all parties. Therefore the other should act wisely and honestly this time with out playing a double game, as they used to.
Daya Nikahetiya, Vienna, Austria

The only practical solution to the Sri Lankan problem is seperation of the two nation states, Sinhala and Tamil, as soon as possible. India should not block but encourage this development. International community also should help to acheive this for the peaceful co-existance of two nations, so that the prolonged sufferings of the common Tamil people can be addressed effectively.
Bala, Sweden

The Government of Sri Lanka must implement the Cease Fire Agreement signed in 2002 and disarm the para militaries immediately as agreed in Geneva Switzerland.
Douglas Tisseverasinghe, Canada

State terrorism and manipulative politics of GOSL must be condemned so that the true self-determination of the Tamil people becomes true one day. It will.
Hari Siv, Landover Hills, USA

Sri Lankan goverment will never have a peace deal with LTTE without taking action to remove the Tiger navy, police and army. It is already a LTTE goverment. As long as LTTE have the military power and financial ability, Sri Lankan government has no chance to have peace. Peace partners must be USA/EU and UN, not Norway.
Dr. Don Kandane, Amsterdam, Holland

I worked with the ICRC from April 1993 until October 1998 in the North East. All the Tamils were killed by the Sri Lankan forces and not by the LTTE. From my point of view, Sri Lankan government will NEVER win this war against the LTTE and they are much stronger in military now a days. I think both parties must come to conclusion with the support of Norway to solve this issue as soon as possible.
Darren Day, Koblenz, Germany

It was also reported that the Swiss govt allowed the LTTE to have a fund raising event after the talks. So it seems that all these peace brokers together with the LTTE are trying to take the GOSL for a ride.
Chitra Munasinghe, USA

GOSL need not wait for the Talks with LTTE to grant the Tamils a federal state within the united Sri Lanka. GOSL will not be interested in talking with LTTE if they give up arms as some of the readers suggest.
Nama Sakaran, St. Albans, UK

The Ceasefire Agreement(CFA)may not be accommodative to everyone, but most importantly it has paved the way in saving thousands of lives and has helped the country to achieve economic prosperity. Politicians should not try to seek political mileage for their respective parties by making false statements such as "We amended the CFA at the Geneva conference because it is unconstitutional".
Royston Fernando, Berlin, Germany

I dont understand the judicial system in Sri Lanka. International government and bodies try to help the parties to solve their differences which will help ordinary people who live in Sri Lanka. But Sri Lankan politicians make any agreement or structure invalid or illegal. Say they find the final solution then next government comes to power will make it invalid, what is the point of all the effort?
Kiru Ratnam, London, UK

Seems like the nation has finally found a leader with a vision. Therefore the LTTE will have to be careful in playing their role, as the international community is around Sri Lanka now.
Bhandula Perera, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka

I agree with Dulip Jayawardhana. Sri Lanka government and LTTE are taking all of us for a ride. What they want is only to be in power and no matter what happens to ordinary people.
Frank Nanhimi, Chilaw, Sri Lanka

It's quite clear, and has been clear for sometime, that this meeting in Geneva is going to be the place where the parties to the conflict would justify their extreme stances. LTTE on one hand will see this as an opportunity, whereby upon failiure to reach an agreement they could persuade the International community to "Understand" their fight for freedom from the Opressive Sinhala majority who are showing a very inexperienced and arrogant, uncompromising attitude towards the whole matter. The governemnt delegation lacks people with persuasion and dignity who will be respected for their proactive and independent ability to judge the situation and come to a compromise.
Anton Padmasiri, London, UK

Nothing but One Sri Lanka with peace. LTTE must stop their Killing Program and handover all weapons to the GOSL.
Ritigala Jayasena, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

As long as the Srilanka do not recognise the Tamil Nation existed before the British joined with the Sinhala nation and genuine in implementing CFA rather than issuing soundbites to peace, unfortunately there will be war sooner rathr than later. How can one expect humanity from a government like Srilanka who have been denying the international aid to the Tsunami affected Tamil and Muslims in the North and East?
Simon Senthivel, London, UK

It's all bullshit(sorry for my word) but it is. people imangine, how many innocent people have died on the both side because of this war. Everyone knows that only the poor and uneducated people are the ones sent in the fight and get killed. If you see all the rich people, they are not sending their kids. specially, have you ever seen any president's son or prabaharan's son fighting in the war, the answer is no. We need people like us to voice our concerns to the Sri Lanakan citizens. i would really like to see Tamil and Sinhalese Lankanz work together to get some solution to this war.
Kumaran Sive, Toronto, Canada

Lord will provied al the visdom to our President. I am happy to havea President like him in Srilanka.
Ivon Gurusinghe, Paris, France

It is the hope of all Sri Lankans that this effort would pave way for peace and reconciliation in our land. Sadly, every new Sri Lankan government has started anew to address the issues of the the Tamil ethnic struggle, with their own motive of Southern Politics. It seems the road is rough ahead. If the implementation of the ceasefire agreement is the point of discussion, there is no hope when we start with the premise that it is unconstitutional.
Kumar, Hatton, Sri Lanka

I think LTTE is terrorist organization. at the same time Sri Lanka government careful dealing with OSLO. Basicaly if LTTE need solution they need to give up their arms.
Vic Samarak, USA

As Mr. Anton Balasingham said, its not the time to finger pointing, lets take constructive measures to implement the CFA. Dont waste time in renegotiating the terms in the CFA, it will get you no where. Instead, implement the CFA and works towards a lasting peace.
Dave

In this matterI have few happy things because now Sri Lankan government fellow some good way and first time their going to act government part.we know before all government and leaders especially UNP(Ranil)was act as supporters in the LTTE,their forgot their government of the Sri Lanka.
Priyantha Jayasinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka

It is ridiculously funny to hear GOSL negotiation team to say the Ceasefire Agreement is illegal and unconstitutional according to laws of Sri Lanka and the GOSL is going to abide by it. If the GOSL going to abide by the CFA why not P-TOMS which was also against the constitution of Sri Lanka? If CFA is beneficial to the people so do the P-TOMS but P-TOMS is much needed by the oppressed Tamil people who are disregarded by the GOSL and therefore abandon unlike the CFA which helps the GOSL the most.

Another concern raised by the GOSL team is that Muslim community that is displaced due to the war were not able to return to their home. Then what about the millions of Tamil people who are displaced internally and externally? What about those HSZs?
Vasu, Toronto, Canada

Dis-arming other militant groups is not possible when their lives are in danger from LTTE. It is necessary for LTTE to lay down arms first. If they do so, to give certain level of power. The constitution should be amended to protect all minority rights. LTTE demand, Homeland concept is a farce as Sri Lankan community is a mixture of all ethnic groups by inter-group marriages.
Champ Mendis, Melbourne, Australia

If the CFA was illegal the GOSL should have not agreed to go to Geneva. The fact remains that when the CFA was signed the GOSL recognized a de- facto delimiitation of the Island to a LTTE controlled area and a GOSL administered area. The issues raised by the LTTE such as Para Military Groups should have been expected by the GOSL and hard facts should have been collected that showed that the Security forces had in no way supported these under cover agents named para militaries.

Talks are a political ploy to continue with a no peace -no war situation so that the other issues specially related to the cost of living could be put on the back burner.I pity the people of Sri Lanka as they are the victims of inexperienced and unpatriotic politicians who are trying use the ethnic issue to be in the political limelight.
Dulip Jayawardhana, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Why LTTE ask to disarmed other tamil millitant groups, while they are armed illigally agains Sri Lankan law. I don't think they represent all tamil comunity in Sri Lanka to rule half of the country. Tamil people living all around the country, but theey don't let others to live in LTTE controlled(forcefully) areas.
Anura Dharmarathana, London, UK

"Lanka Tamils divided over talks" i see no base on this news,but im sure its just for some purpose.obviously you know the support from Tamil people for EPDP& PLOT ,not more than one hundred they ll get.
Shan, Colombo, Sri lanka

LTTE must come to a flexible solution and CFA be renegoatiated.
Pathmasiri, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

It all looks very ominous to me. Given the positions taken by the two sides and each's refusal to consider compromise or concession, I don't really see what there is to talk about.
Joe McGairl, London, UK

Why waste time and poor Swiss tax payers money having expensive meetings like this? The blood thirsty GOSL is not interested in serious peace talks. LTTE should eliminate them and give a chance to other Sinhalease to co-exist with Tamil Minority peacefully.
Randhir Chumn, Seattle, USA

It has also been reported that the LTTE will be visiting Norway and Iceland for arms purchases. So let alone the parties to the copnflict can we even trust the intentions of the mediators/moderators? really sad. Talk about adding fuel to already burning fires.
Chitra, Washington, USA

Lanka Tamils divided over talks Did you study mathematics? Better go to the Primary school and study mathematics or come here I will teach you if you don't know. You are these PLOT, EPTB and EPRLF, all were chased out by the Tamil people. SL goverment gave minister post for the person you got only few votes by theirs miltants with the help of SL Army.

All Sinhalese are try to bring false reports to the world. Keep in your mind that you can't make the world fool. What happened in the Geneva meeting? SL already lost the war now politically. I like to see happy unitted SL-Tamil Ealam. If the people like you don't like it deffinitely Seperate Tamil Ealam. Repoters duty is give the real news and real thoughts of people studying thies mind and heart and the repoter have to without biasing in favour of theirs community. Ther are many journalism course here.
Sella

Related story: Lanka Tamils divided over talks

The day JVP and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) realize that our country is for Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and burgers and not only for sinhala Buddhists, the people of Sri Lanka can live in peace. Until that day, the peace talks and CFA etc will not have any meaning or lead to a permanent solution.
Nilmini Subramaniam, Auburn, USA

It is great that the Sri Lankan government have agreed that they should be talking to each other if the violence is to stop. However, the important issue here is that the government which at the begining of the talks said that the Cease Fire Agreement is an illegal document ended up with accepting the legality of the CFA. meanwhile the tigers also have have accepted that they are upto violence. It is sad that the BBC is unable to see this victory of the people of Sri Lnaka.
Mallika, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Again and again the same useless peace talks and the peace meetings which are only between LTTE and government will not help to resolve our real problem. It will help legal terrotism only. It is not only wasting time and money but also creating more mesh. The analysis of the past and current events will clearly clarify the reality.
Tamilanpan

I think wut ltte is says is contradictory. Specially the denial of any involvement in recent incidents (including murder of Great diplomat Kadiragamar) and rederecting them to paramilitary groups. At the same time saying government backup para-militaries. I can't understand why would government want backup paramilitaries while they keep killing it's own people.
Dilan, Matara, Sri Lanka

CFA is illegal and this CFA was Ranil Wickramasinghe's misstake
Neil Peiris, Boston, USA

I am a Sri Lankan Sinhalese. The talks between the government and the Tamil tigers is waste of time and money. Tamil tigers will never give up until they get their own State.
Lakmal Kahawela, glasgow, Scotland

dont't want to amend the CFA if both parties abide by it.This talks are just a stage play for both sides just to show that they are comitted to peace , but in reality they are not.SL gov said they like war than peace before the prasidential election to the public to collect votes and we know for fact LTTE likes war than peace.So this is again an atempt to fool international and SL community by SL gov and LTTE.
Amila Gammana, Kalutara, Sri Lanka

Why waste time and poor Sri Lankan tax payers money having expensive meetings like this? The blood thirsty LTTE is not interested in serious peace talks. GOSL should eliminate them and give a chance to other tamils to co-exist with Sinhala majority peacefully.
Yamitha Perera, California, USA