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Women, Peace and Security Initiatives: Sri Lanka
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In-Country

Call to end violence
Women's Network for Peace and Freedom
we urge the government, to take immediate steps to stop such acts of impunity carried out by militant groups and other political parties operating under the safety net of the government and to take steps to disarm such groups. We call on all civil society groups to vigorously condemn these acts of violence and urgen the governemnt to carry out impartial investigations in to such acts.

For full statement, please click HERE

Letter Campaign for Peace in Sri Lanka
Women's Network for Peace and Freedom
We the Women’s Network for Peace and Freedom is dismayed by the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, and by the failure of the parties to the conflict to respect and abide by the 2002 ceasefire agreement. Particularly of concern are the deaths - and, in some cases, targeting - of innocent civilians and the displacement of people, and the failure of the international community to take effective action to bring an end to this conflict. Therefore, we are urging as many people as possible to take action and call on the international community to support the Norwegean facilitators and to put meaningful pressure on the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to stop the use of violence and re-start negotiations to bring a peaceful resolution to this crisis.
You can take such action by sending a letter to the:

Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)
Level 10, West Tower
World Trade Centre
Bank of Ceylon Mawatha
Colombo 01.
Telephone: 011 5554471-2, 2388709, 2388710
Fax: 011 5554473

The LTTE peace Secretariat at :
Peace Secretariat,
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam,
A9 Road,
Kilinochci.
Phone: 0094212283960
Fax: 0094212283959
E-mail: mail@ltteps.org

And the Foreign Office and the UN Office in your country

For more information, please click HERE

International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders opens global consultation meeting in Sri Lanka
November 30, 2005, Amnesty International Canada
Hundreds of activists from roughly 70 countries gathered in Sri  Lanka for global consultations on Women's Human Rights. According to Amnesty International: "The consultation is focusing on the challenges  faced by women human rights defenders in their political organizing, including violence, harassment, and intimidation. Conference participants will promote a more nuanced understanding of the experience of women human rights defenders, and will devise practical strategies to address  challenges such as a global rise in fundamentalisms and militarism, and a climate increasingly hostile to the work of political activists in various  social movements."

Women's "Coming Together" Event Held in Kilinochchi
October 3, 2004
A "Confluence" of Tamil Eelam Women Associations, Sangamam, was held in Kilinochchi Cultural Hall Thursday where more than 650 women activists from all regions of Kilinochchi took part, sources in Vanni said. Kilinochchi district LTTE Head of Women's Political Wing, Poovili presided the event.

LTTE Women's Unit Releases Film on Liberation Struggle
October 2, 2004
Part 2 of the "Akkini Paravaikal" (Volcanic Birds) of Nitharsanam Women Unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was released in Trincomalee Friday evening. Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE Mr.S.Elilan handed over the first copy of the CD to the mother of a LTTE martyr at the event held in Trincomalee Town Hall..."Akkini Paravaikal" film describes the role and contribution of the LTTE women brigade in the Tamil liberation struggle, sources said.

Campaign "From One Year of Ceasefire to Permanent Peace"
February 21 to April 30, 2003
The National Council for Peace in Sri Lanka launched the Campaign "From one year to Ceasefire to Permanent Peace" to celebrate the first anniversary of the ceasefire and support the peace process in Sri Lanka. Among various activities, a photo exhibithion was hold featuring 340 photos covering the following topics: landmines, orphanages, resettlement, army- The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) relations and negotiations between the government and the LTTE. In addittion, educational posters regarding the cost of war were published. Posters with the message of "One Year of Ceasefire: Let's Keep Similing Tomorrow Also" were published in Sinhala, Tamil and English and distributed in 15 states within the country. To read the full report click here. For more information visit the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

Women’s Journey to Peace: Strenghtening the Next Steps Forward Workshop
January 30, 2003
Almost 30 women gathered at the Social and Economic Development Centre to share experiences, explore issues, and to strategise on effective steps forward for women and peacebuilding in Sri Lanka. The workshop was the conclusion of a three-week initiative, the Women’s Interfaith Journey, a project of the Henry Martyn Institute of India, in collaboration with the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. A 9-woman delegation - 4 from South Africa, 4 from Sri Lanka and 1 from India - travelled throughout Sri Lanka, interacting with community-based organisers, displaced and war-affected peoples, peace activists and analysts, aid workers, teachers, students and members of political and military groups. The aim of the Journey was to see and reflect upon conflict and peace-building from a women’s perspectives, and to learn something of the views, efforts and responses of Sri Lankan women to the ethnic conflict. To read the full resport of the Women’s Interfaith Journey click here. For more information visit the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

Memorandum to the Government, the LTTE, and the Norwegian Facilitators From Women's Organizations of Sri Lanka
The representatives of women's organizations in Sri Lanka came together in Colombo, Sri Lanka on June 7, 2002 to make recomendations regarding women, conflict, and the peace process.

Ceasefire Agreement Vigil
June, 2000
A civil society vigil was held in honor of the 100 days of the ceasefire agreement. Also, a photo exhibition with a total of 260 photos was organized at the John de Silva Art Gallery in Colombo in commemoration of the 100 days of ceasefire. The reactions from the viewers encouraged the National Peace Council to take this exhibition around the country. A media campaign was also launched in support of the ceasefire agreement and the peace process. For more information visit the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

War Will Never Win Peace - Say Yes To Ceasefire To Win Peace
2000
25,000 posters carrying the phrase: "WAR WILL NEVER WIN PEACE - SAY YES TO CEASEFIRE TO WIN PEACE" were printed and pasted in 16 districts through the National Peace Council network, including some of the areas controlled by the the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Mannar districts.  Public demonstrations were organised to express civil society support to the ceasefire agreement after signing the ceasefire agreement. For more information visit the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

International