Pause in Sri Lankan Fighting Should Be Extended

The news that the government of Sri Lanka has declared a two day pause in the fighting in northeastern Sri Lanka should lead to increased efforts for an extended ceasefire.

The situation is now desperate - with rebel forces and the civilians under their control being pushed into a tiny corner on the coast of northeastern Sri Lanka. Many wounded civilians are still without food and water.

The trouble with seeking a purely military solution is that it fails completely to deal with the underlying causes of the conflict. And the "responsibility to protect" is a UN doctrine that applies to both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.

The international community through the UN has to remain engaged in the protection of civilians, the provision of aid and assistance, and the care of the homeless and displaced currently in camps run by the government.

The world cannot sit back and accept that this is a purely internal matter. Its consequences are too great, and time is now of the essence. A 48 hour pause, while important, is not enough.