As an essay this publication evolved against a backdrop of much scepticism expressed by the media and civil society in Sri Lanka about the possibilities of peace against a recurrent history of negotiation failures. Why did the UNF government and the LTTE opt for negotiations in 2001? Will the result of the present negotiation process achieve peace? What kind of peace can be gained in the transition from a civil war? How do international actors have an impact on the politics of a peace process? This publication which is the second in a series of peace education pamphlets explores these questions. Drawing on some prominent scholarly debates on issues relating to transition from civil war to peace the book proposes that even a limited, pragmatic peace agenda could make a significant contribution towards transforming social and political conditions that may delink the conflict from war and violence. Through practical discussion of topics related to peace, democracy and social justice this series of publications seeks to widen the terms of political debate in contemporary Sri Lanka on issues ranging from peace and conflict to constitutional reform and democratisation.