http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/02/23/news20.asp

Ten years on:
Prominent citizens speak on CFA
Rasika SOMARATHNA and Priyanka KURUGALA
The pros and cons of the agreement on a ceasefire (CFA) between the then
government and the LTTE, on February 22, 2002 garners much debate even today,
after 10 years since its enforcement and also after four years after it was
formerly abolished in 2008.
With the 10th anniversary of the CFA falling yesterday the Daily News sought
the views of several prominent citizens including the members of the Maha Sangha
on the CFA and its impact on the country. Senior Attorney-at-law S. L.
Gunasekera said that the CFA brokered by the Norwegians and established during
the tenure of the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was seriously flawed
from the very inception.
He said that the legitimate concerns of the Security Forces had not even been
taken into account when it was entered into and as a result the CFA had
contributed to weakening of the military.
On the other hand the LTTE took advantage of the CFA to arm itself and
strengthen both its reach and capability, he added.
Meanwhile Ven. Prof. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera identified the CFA as one of
the biggest betrayals of the country.
The Thera said that it had alienated the democratic Tamil political forces
and focused solely on the LTTE.
The Thera also said that the agreement was entered into without proper
consultation by the government of the day and added that under its cover, the
LTTE continued to take strategic advantage on the ground as never before.
Leading Lawyer, Jayatissa de Costa PC meanwhile said "even thinking of such
an agreement is a disgrace"
Dr. Costa went on to say that it was the first time in the country that a
terrorist organisation had waged an armed struggle against the duly elected
government and also had been able to control a part of the country.
"They were proscribed in many countries. They brazenly assassinated among
others, ministers, moderate Tamil politicians, scores of unarmed civilians and
even foreign political leaders. This is why I call it an insult on the
law-abiding citizens of the country" ,he added.
He said that the LTTE had used the CFA to strengthen itself in many ways and
the tentacles of its effect could be felt even today. He said that fortunately
the country under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been able to
defeat the scourge of terrorism.