Timeline of events under "Peace initiatives" issue
The Government and the LTTE agree to a ‘No War Zone’ around Madhu church during the festival period starting on 23 July.
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 United Nations asks both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to cease hostilities and resume peace talks, following the aerial bombing on 2 January.
Peace talks resume in Geneva, but fail over the LTTE’s demand that the government reopen the A9 highway to the Jaffna peninsula that was closed in August 2006.
LTTE and Government delegations arrive in Oslo for 2 day talks.
After a meeting with Tiger leaders, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen reports that he had failed to achieve a breakthrough.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga offers a 'national apology' to all victims of 'Black July' in a speech commemorating its 21st anniversary.
In response to LTTE demands, the Government proposes its 'Interim Administrative Council' to the LTTE.
Representatives from 51 countries and 22 organisations participate at the Tokyo Donor Conference. The conference is chaired by Japan, Norway, the US and the EU. US$4.5 billion is pledged by the international community for the reconstruction and development of Sri Lanka.
Washington hosts a prelude to the Tokyo Donors Conference bringing together international representatives for discussions on how international assistance can reinforce and strengthen the peace process. US blocks LTTE participation as it is a banned group.
The sixth round of peace talks between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE takes place at Hakone, Japan between 18-21 March 2003, amid growing security concerns. The parties agree to strengthen the mandate of the SLMM, discuss the commitment to developing a federal system and a roadmap on human rights.
The fifth round of talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE takes place in Berlin, Germany from 7 to 8 February. Inter alia, progress of SIHRN and underage recruitment by the LTTE are discussed.
The fourth round of peace talks takes place in Thailand from 6 to 9 January. Talks focus on the deliberations of the Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalisation, formulation of a plan for an Accelerated Resettlement Programme for the Jaffna district and human rights and child recruitment issues.
The third round of peace talks between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE is held in Oslo, Norway from 2 to 5 December. The government and Tamil Tigers reach agreement to share power within a federal structure. Several federal systems of government are considered by both parties.
Government representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe, following a meeting in Oslo, express strong support for the peace process and commit to providing financial assistance.
