Timeline of events under "Peace initiatives" issue
First Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East (SIHRN).
31 October to 3 November. Second round of peace talks commence between the Government and LTTE in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.
16 to 18 September. First round of direct talks between Srilankan government and the LTTE began at the Sattahip naval base in Thailand on 16 September 2002.
Government of Sri Lanka lifts ban on the LTTE.
The LTTE invites displaced Sinhalese to return home: the LTTE Batticaloa district leadership invites displaced Sinhalese from the district to return to their home villages.
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.
Ranil Wickramasinghe becomes the first Sri Lankan prime minister to visit Jaffna since the conflict began in 1983. Large crowds gather to meet him.
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.
Until May 2002: de-commissioning of weapons begins; the road linking the Jaffna peninsula with the rest of Sri Lanka reopens after 12 years; and passenger flights to Jaffna resume.
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.
Norway agrees to act as facilitator in the peace process, with Eric Solheim taking the lead.
Britain’s Liam Fox facilitates an agreement between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, the main purpose of which is to refrain from undermining the efforts for peace by the government in office.
Government officially announces its 'devolution package' to grant greater autonomy to the provinces through greater power-sharing with Tamil and Muslim minorities.
Fourth round of talks between the Government and LTTE.
Second round of talks between the Government and LTTE.
