Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) leaves Sri Lanka, following the government's termination of the ceasefire agreement.
Timeline of events under "Ceasefire agreement" issue
A suspected LTTE bomb attack of a civilian bus traveling in the town of Buttala (150 miles south east of Colombo) kills 27 people and injures 67 others. Reports that most of the victims were shot by LTTE cadres.
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 Government and the LTTE agree to a ‘No War Zone’ around Madhu church during the festival period starting on 23 July.
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.
SLMM reports that nearly 4,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka in the previous 15 months, compared with 130 conflict deaths from the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement until the end of 2005. Total conflict related deaths: 69,000.
In reaction to heavy fighting between the LTTE and the military, the government of Sri Lanka closes the A9 highway, the only land link between the Jaffna peninsula and the rest of the country.
The LTTE suspends its participation in peace talks, claiming it is being marginalised, and citing grievances over the truce agreement and lack of assistance for Tamils.
The LTTE hold two Norwegian peace monitors aboard an LTTE vessel, who had come to look into an alleged ceasefire violation. Despite tensions and questions as to LTTE’s commitment to the peace process, the truce remains in place.
A Government team led by B. Goonetilleke, head of Peace Secretariat, travels to Kilinochchi for initial talks with S.P. Tamilselvan, head of the Political Wing of the LTTE. Discussions centre on the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and public transport on the A9 highway.
The Government removes all travel restrictions on civilians. Tamils traveling to the South from Vavuniya will no longer be required to obtain a special pass and then register with the police on arrival.
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.
The new government announces it would observe a one-month ceasefire from December 24. LTTE also announces a one-month ceasefire.
