Essays

Introduction. For resolving the ticklish ethnic problem of Tamils in Sri Lanka, and historic accord was signed on July 29, 1987 by prime minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi and the president of Sri Lanka Mr. J.R. Jayewardene. The accord was aimed to bring about reconciliation and normally in the strife-torn island. The accord envisaged an end of five years of ethnic conflict.

Objective. The accord stipulates and ends to fighting within 24 hours and the laying down of arms by Tamil militants in 72 hours from the signing of the accord. India stood guarantor to the implementation of the agreement. India was to monitor the referendum proposed in Sri Lanka’s Eastern province though its election commission. In the annexure to the agreement, the Island government also agreed to disband the home guards and all Para-military personnel from the north and east provinces of Sri Lanka.

Agreements. On its part India categorically said that it would deport all Sri Lankan citizen found to be engaging in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism. At the same lime India would also provide training facilities and military supplies for Lankan security Forces. Sri Lanais per the agreement was not to make available for military use to any country any part of their land, in a manner prejudicial lo India interests. The agreement provided for intervention by an Indian-keeping force to guarantee and enforce the cessation the collation of   invitation, the Lankan President. President Jayewardene had shown singular courage and Statesmanship of high order in signing. The agreement was thus an act of faith, as all agreements of this kind have of necessity to be.

Withdrawal of Indian force.  Ever since the change of government in Sri Lanka, there has been a demand for the withdrawal of the Indian peace-keeping forces from Sri-Lanka. The Indian Government', initially were surprised at the unexpected demand of the Sri Lankan Government. The Indian Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi tried to explain that the peace-keeping forces would lie Withdrawn only when the Indo-Sri Lankan accord was implemented in full. There was, therefore, in' legitimacy for the demand of withdrawal of Indian forces as it went against the agreement.

However, when he Sri Lankan President Sri Premadas insisted on his demand for the withdrawal of the Indian forces, the Government of India agreed to call back it forces in phases. The IPKF personnel are being peace has yet to dawn in Sri Lanka. Not a day passes when some citizen are killed by the terrorists. The LTTE has recently approached (lie Election Commissioner for its recognition as a political party. During his recent visit to Delhi, the Sri Lankan State Minister of Deference. Mr. Ranjan Wijeratne said that the change of Government in India would have no impact on. Either the Indo-Lanka accord or the agreed time-frame for IPKF withdrawal from the island's North and East. He also stated that the recent clashes in the North–East of Sri Lanka between Tamil groups would not affect the withdrawal-schedule of the IPKF. The .new Government under the Prime Minister ship of Shri V.P. Singh has already ordered the IPKF to begin pull out from the Central sector Of Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commissioner has asked the Sri Lankan Government to make necessary arrangements to ensure law And order and security in the areas being vacated, The Indian Government has declared time and again for maintaining friendly relations with the neighboring countries. It has no intentions of stationing its forces upon foreign country. It has no intention of Interfering in the internal-affairs of any country.