Peace hopes raised

A ceasefire between Sri Lanka's Government and Tamil Tiger rebels represents the greatest hope in recent years for an end to the conflict.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has made a bold move by signing the memorandum of understanding on the truce with the Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Elected in December on a platform of making peace with the rebels and restoring the conflict-battered economy, Wickremesinghe is taking a huge political gamble.

But he knows that he must meet the challenge and take the initiative in response to the international push to wipe out terrorism.

Norway, which has been trying to forge a peace deal, seems finally to be making headway in its objectives.

It convinced Wickremesinghe to sign the truce agreement in the northern town of Vavuniya, the first time in seven years that such a senior Sri Lankan politician had traveled so close to the Tamil-held north.

Observers from Denmark, Sweden and Finland will also join Norway in monitoring the ceasefire an arrangement conceived in response to previous failed bids.

More than 60,000 people have been killed during the rebels' 19-year struggle for an independent homeland and there is much distrust and cynicism to overcome.

But Wickremesinghe appears to have a new resolve to end the war.

With similar motivation on the rebels side, a fresh approach can be carved towards eventual peace in Sri Lanka.

-- South China Morning Post, Hong Kong