The Sri Lankan military reports the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief ‘Pottu Amman’, and ‘Soosai’, the head of the Tiger’ naval wing.
Courtesy of the Sahajeevana Centre
The Sri Lankan military reports the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief ‘Pottu Amman’, and ‘Soosai’, the head of the Tiger’ naval wing.
The Government of Sri Lanka announces a complete victory against the LTTE. Its military forces recaptured all remaining LTTE controlled territories in the Northern Province, including notably Killinochchi (2 January), the Elephant Pass (9 January) and the ultimately the entire district of Mullaitivu (18 May).
The Thamil Makkal Vidudal Puligal (TMVP) party wins 72 of 101 seats on nine local councils, the first elections in Eastern Sri Lanka for 14 years. For the municipal council of Batticaloa, the TMVP - contesting the elections under the banner of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) - secured 11 of its 19 seats after obtaining 53.77 percent of the 26,331 valid votes.
The government unilaterally terminates its Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE. The termination would take effect on 16 January 2008, 14 days from the date of the government's notice.
The Sri Lankan government captures Thoppigala, in what is claimed as the last LTTE base in the Eastern Province. Army chiefs claim that the "victory" gave the government control of the area for the first time in 13 years.
Mahinda Rajapakse, Prime Minister, narrowly wins the presidential elections. The overwhelming majority of Tamils in areas controlled by the LTTE do not vote in presidential elections, allegedly on the instruction of the LTTE.
Following the legal challenge by the JVP, the Supreme Court orders that implementation of certain clauses of the PTOMS agreement should be suspended until a final court determination, stopping short of declaring the agreement illegal.
LTTE's eastern commander, known as 'Colonel Karuna', leads a split in the LTTE movement and goes underground with his supporters.
Facilitated by Norway, the Government and LTTE sign a permanent ceasefire agreement. The Ceasefire Agreement was signed by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The ceasefire will take effect on 23 February 2002.
A suicide attack by LTTE on Colombo's international airport, results in several deaths of armed personnel and destroyed or damaged 26 commercial and military aircraft. The attack marked the eighteenth anniversary of Black July.
The LTTE detonates a lorry packed with explosives at the gates of the Temple of the Tooth in the city of Kandy, as preparations are underway for the 50th anniversary of independence.
A suicide bomb explosion by the LTTE at the Central Bank building in Colombo kills more than 100 civilians. Approximately 1,300 others are wounded.
LTTE attacks a naval installation, results in resumption of hostilities and collapse of peace talks. LTTE resumes bombing campaign. Government launches major offensive.
A delegation including the Secretary to the President leaves for Jaffna to initiate negotiations.
Expulsion of an estimated 70-100,000 Muslims from the Northern province by the LTTE. It is reported that Muslims were ordered to leave, giving them between 2 and 48 hours notice.
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