State of emergency declared after Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is assassinated. The LTTE is accused of carrying out the killing.
Timeline of events under "Emergency rule" issue
President Kumaratunga dismisses three ministers and suspends parliament. State of emergency imposed, but lifted 3 days later. Parliament reopens after two weeks, but any negotiations with LTTE are put on hold.
State of emergency extended across the entire country.
State of emergency is retained over Colombo and North and East only.
Anti-Tamil riots break out in parts of Colombo, and later spread to other areas, lasting one week. The riots are in response to the killing of 13 soldiers by the Tamil Tigers in Jaffna. The event is later remembered as 'Black July'. Estimates of Tamil deaths vary from 387 (official figures) to 3,000 Tamils; 18,000 Tamil homes and 5,000 shops were destroyed. Over 100,000 Tamils fled to India. A state of emergency is imposed.
State of emergency imposed over entire country.
Clashes between Sinhalese and Muslim communities in Galle. Emergency declared and curfew imposed throughout Galle.
Tensions continue and further emergency rule from 17 August to 16 January 1982 imposed on Jaffna.
Curfew imposed in Jaffna following tensions. Emergency declared (3 June) and lifted (9 June).
State of emergency lifted. Ban on the JVP party is lifted.
