ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relevance of the interests of external actors with respect to the coordination of their activities and the application of the required leverage in order to guide the conflicting parties toward a mutually acceptable solution. The mediation process was formally led by Norway and was backed by a coalition of donor states. The supporting states were able to generate important financial incentives, but were unable to balance those rewards with meaningful ‘sticks.’ A number of pivotal developments ripened the overall situation and led to the 2002–2006 peace process. The population was becoming increasingly exhausted and dejected as a result of the prolonged conflict. The rapid developments in the peace process provided enough reason for the external actors to perceive the Sri Lankan case as an ‘easy win’. Norway was first country approached to facilitate the talks in September 1999.
