The limits of external influence
Harim Peiris (2008)
Third party involvement in a peace process is often required to address a mutual absence of trust between the parties and inability to make progress toward a negotiated settlement on their own, but policy tools of inducement and pressure rarely have more than a limited influence in addressing these problems. Former government negotiator Harim Peiris reflects on three aspects of international involvement in Sri Lanka's peace process: the impact of terrorist designations on the LTTE, the use of aid as a lever, and the orchestration of international support. He concludes that rather than trying to force or induce certain outcomes, external actors should focus on encouraging a process-oriented approach to transforming Sri Lanka's conflict, not solely focused on the end solution but what political dynamics are required to get there and what is required to get those political dynamics.