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.
Archive for March, 2008
The International Commission of Jurists state that the investigation by the Government into the killing of the 17 ACF workers was seriously flawed, accusing the Government of a lack of impartiality, transparency and effectiveness in its investigation.
The Government and the LTTE agree to a ‘No War Zone’ around Madhu church during the festival period starting on 23 July.
The Special Presidential Commission on Disappearances reports that some 430 Sri Lankan civilians, mostly minority Tamils, were killed between 14 September 2006 and 25 February 2007.
The government attacks the IIGEP of "exceeding its mandate". International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) alleges that evidence from the case of 17 murdered aid workers may have been tampered with, calling on the government to launch a new investigation into the killings.
An ex-squadron leader is arrested, suspected of being the ‘kingpin’ of a gang that has been abducting Tamil and Muslim businessmen for ransoms. Media reports state that about 70 Tamils have been abducted over the past year. Recently, about 50 Muslim businessmen were abducted.
The Sri Lankan government blocks access from within Sri Lanka to TamilNet, a website hosted in Norway which provides news reports on local events. The move came just days after the 10th anniversary of TamilNet's creation.
The Sri Lankan police expel more than 400 Tamils from Colombo to the North, arguing that the order is part of security controls. The raids are condemned internationally. The Supreme Court later orders the expulsions to stop following a human rights petition.
LTTE attacks army bases in Mannar and Vavuniya districts, leaving 82 combatants dead; both sides confirm the attacks.
Two Red Cross volunteers are found dead in the outskirts of Colombo after attending a workshop. The Sri Lanka Red Cross later calls for a probe into the murders.
The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), the overseer of the President’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) to Investigate and Inquire into "alleged serious violations of human rights", submits its first Interim Report to the president.
A gazette notification by the Sri Lankan government blocks the resettlement of displaced Tamils in Sampur and Muttur East in Trincomalee following the designation of the areas as a High Security Zone (HSZ).
Without the presence of the ICRC, the military announce the closure of checkpoints at Omanthai and Uyilankulam, stopping aid workers and ceasefire monitors from traveling between LTTE held and Government areas.
Britain’s Keith Vaz, Labour MP, leads a parliamentary group to look into the Sri Lankan conflict situation and suggest what more could be done to restart the peace process.
The Sri Lankan government announces its devolution proposals, devolving power at the district level. Analysts say that the proposals fall far short of minority ethnic Tamil demands.
