"Iqbal Athas" is a Sri Lankan journalist. He is a defence columnist for the The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)/Sunday Times, and he also contributes to Jane's Defence Weekly, CNN, and the The Times/Times of London. He was threatened for his investigative reporting which uncovered scandals in the purchase of the arms by Sri Lankan Defence personnel, particularly the Sri Lankan Airforce. He has won several international journalism awards for his work, and in 2000, the New York Times described him as "the country's leading military correspondent."

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The specter of war, at least until the 19th of April, seems to have gone away. Until then, the cease-fire is bound to hold. But while smiling at each other, both sides will continue making preparations for war.

266

It has at least been put off for the time being, but one is not sure for how long. All that has been resolved is the venue. What both sides have done is buy time.

187

This is not posturing. This is a very clear indication that Geneva is becoming very doubtful. The bottom line is that they are showing that they are strong and that they can take on the military.

182

The bottom line is this -- for how long can the military remain restrained? That we are just around the corner from a major confrontation is not in doubt.

151

At some point the army is going to react and then the LTTE will retaliate. They have set in motion a process. At some point the bubble is bound to burst and then we do not know what will happen.

135

The Tigers have built a much stronger military machine in the four years of the cease-fire. If the intensity of the war increases, there is no doubt they have developed a capability to strike in Colombo.

99

We are seeing a war already. It's an undeclared war. We are seeing the loss of two to three people a day.

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