Sri Lanka Timeline - Year 2002

January 1	The clandestine Voice of Tigers radio of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), says the LTTE’s de-mining division had between April 20 and December 31, 2001 recovered 132,328 anti-personnel land mines (APLM) and booby traps in villages and towns in the Vanni, northern Sri Lanka, allegedly planted by the Sri Lankan Army between 1997––when it captured the area––and 1999 when the LTTE ousted the Army from the Vanni region.
January 2	Defence Ministry announces that the economic embargo on areas controlled by the LTTE in the North-East province would be lifted from January 15. Once it comes into force, it would allow the transport of restricted quantities of diesel, petrol, cement and steel bars to the areas held by the LTTE. Besides, other essential food items and medicine will also be allowed into the region. However, illegal arms, ammunitions, explosives, remote control equipment, barbed wire, pen torch batteries and telescopic equipment cannot be sent to the region. The move is meant to create a conducive atmosphere for peace talks to resume between the government and the LTTE.
January 3	LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran writes to Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik asking his country to continue acting as a facilitator between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government to find a peaceful settlement to the ethnic conflict reports say. Besides, an LTTE press release says a Norwegian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Helgeson would meet LTTE chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham, in London, on January 4.
January 5	Army and the elite Special Task Force launch recruitment drive to fill in vacancies. Reports say there is a shortage of 10,000 personnel in the Army's infantry regiments.
January 10	The Norwegian delegation uncluding Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgeson and Special Envoy Eric Solheim brief President Chandrika Kumaratunga on the LTTE’s proposal for a formal cease-fire and easing of economic blockade on LTTE areas in the North and East. A day earlier, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe holds consultations with the Norwegian delegation. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders call on the Norwegian delegation and urge them to impress upon the government to immediately lift the proscription of the LTTE to enable commencement of peace talks. The talks should be held only with the LTTE and no other Tamil group, they insist.
January 11	Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgeson expresses "cautious optimism" on the peace process moving further and notes that there is an increasing level of confidence between the LTTE and the government. President Kumaratunga says she extends full support to the peace initiative.
January 17	Cabinet spokesperson and Minister Peiris says it is too early to comment on lifting the proscription of the LTTE. He adds, any pre-conditions wil have to come through proper channel, i.e., Norway, the facilitator. The comments follow the January 15-demand by LTTE political-wing leader Tamil Chelvam that the LTTE be de-proscribed as it will grant legitimicacy to the LTTE which, he says, is necessary if it were to participate in the peace talks.
January 20	LTTE announces one month-extension of cease-fire till February 24. Government follows suit the next day.
January 22	Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe says in Parliament, the ban on the LTTE should be reviewed to pursue the "last chance" for peace. LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham welcomes the statement ans says it was a long-stading demand. LTTE , in Kilinochchi, sets free two army personnel and a civilian taken captive in 1993 and seven more civilians taken captive in 1997.
January 23	Opposition parties meet to chalk out a common strategy to oppose any moves to consoder de-proscribing the LTTE before it came to the negotiating table.
February 3	Karikalan, deputy leader of LTTE’s political wing, alleges in Batticaloa that sections in the Sri Lankan Army and paramilitary groups were attempting to scuttle peace process by engaging in 'covert moves'.
February 8	Norwegian delegation finalises draft of the permanent cease-fire agreement scheduled to be signed between the government and the LTTE.
February 22	Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen announces in Oslo that a 'Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cessation of Hostilities' has been signed between LTTE leader Prabhakaran and Prime Minister Wickremasinghe, and would come into force from 00:00 hours February 23. The agreement "outlines the modalities of the ceasefire, including the total cessation of all offensive military operations, the separation of forces and increased freedom of movement for unarmed troops on both sides; measures to restore normalcy for all the inhabitants of Sri Lanka - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others - putting an end to hostile acts against civilians, allowing the unimpeded flow of non-military goods, opening roads and railway lines and a gradual easing of fishing restrictions; and a small international monitoring mission led by Norway. The mission will conduct international on-site monitoring of the fulfilment of the commitments made by the parties." President Kumaratunga expresses disappointment at the procedure adopted by the Prime Minister in concluding the MoU with the LTTE. She expresses surprise and concern at being informed of the contents of the agreement only after it was signed by the LTTE leader and just a few hours before the Prime Minister proposed to put his signature on it Prime Minister Wickremasinghe says there is no alternative to holding talks with the LTTE. Deproscription of the LTTE is not addressed in the agreement.
February 24	Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will not be repealed, Prime Minister asserts. He also says, there cannot be "any constitutional arrangements that would lead to the separation of the country... We want one Sri Lanka." Presidemtial Secretariat says, President Kumaratunga did not attend the two Cabinet meetings that discussed the cease-fire agreement between the government and the LTTE, as she was not notified in advance.
February 26	Sihala Urumaya leader Tilak Karunaratne says his party would pressurise President Kumaratunga to annul the 'permanent cease-fire agreement' between the government and the LTTE. He adds, the courts would be approached, too. Batticaloa Tamil paramilitary groups asked to surrender arms or join the Army.
March 1	President Kumaratunga cirtiques the cease-fire agreement and says it impinged upon national security. She adds, "The present agreement does not include any indication, let alone a commitment, that the LTTE agrees to come to the negotiating table and talk of the essential and substantive issues. This gives me reason for concern." 30,000 Tamils participate in self-determination rally in Vavuniya. Leaders state that everyone 'should join the LTTE, if the government cheated, this time round'.
March 2	The Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Retired Norwegian Army General Trond Furuhovde arrives in Colombo alongwith four more monitors. Balasingham, LTTE chief negotiator, says the President's criticism of the cease-fire agreement is "irresponsible, injurious and ill-advised". He says, President Kumaratunga and former Froeign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar are conspiring to sabotage the cease-fire agreement between the government and the LTTE.
March 3	Selvam Adaikalanathan, a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) from Vanni, calls for repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
March 4	Prime Minister says, the cease-fire agreement "should be seen as a reasonable and practical foundation on which a political solution to this seemingly intractable problem can be built upon, and not as an end in itself." Demanding the withdrawl of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was a mistake, he says, and adds, a similar mistake should not be repeated.
March 5	Ven. Samitha Thera, the first-ever Buddhist monk to be elected to Parliament, asks clerics and fellow countrymen to support the peace process. Cabinet spokesperson and Minister G L Peiris says, "The cessation of hostilities prepared in April last year [2001, when the President's Sri Lanka Freedom Party was in power] was not implemented as the two parties [government and the LTTE] were unable to reach an agreement", and adds, "We are not ready to repeat the same mistake this time too."
March 6	LTTE leader Prabhakaran meets with Norwegian chief cease-fire monitor and retired Army General Trond Furuhovede in Killinochci, northern Sri Lanka.
March 7	Tamil National Alliance leaders urge the Prime Minister to deproscribe the LTTE and set free all Prevention of Terrorism Act detainees.
March 9	Daily News quotes Defence Secretary Austin Fernando and says, a check-point would be set up at Muhamalai which would, thus, facilitate the full opening of the main Highway No. A 9. Also, curbs on Tamils in Colombo and suburbs lifted.
March 11	LTTE ideologue Balasingham warns of 'severe punishment' to cadres found violating the cease-fire terms, ground rules, conditions and modalities.
March 12	Ceylon Worker’s Congress (CWC) president and Cabinet Minister Arumugam Thondaman, asks all ‘peace loving people’ to support the peace initiative of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, and ensure that the peace accord became a reality.
March 13	11 suspects held at Tellippalai rehabilitation centre in connection with the attack on Bandaranaike International Airport in July 2001 are set free for lack of evidence. Reports say only four are likely to be charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. SLMM chief Trond Furuhovde cautions the government and the LTTE that there could be reverses in implementing the truce. He also says 13 monitors from Norway, Finland and Sweden had arrived and at least nine more could possibly join the SLMM.
March 15	United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca and top US Marines officer General Timothy Ghormley visit Palaly military air base signifying US support to the peace process. Rocca and Prime Minister Wickremasinghe meet at the airbase. A US State Department spokesman says, "The Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) need to grasp this opportunity to end Sri Lanka's tragic conflict and forge a durable peace." Wickremesinghemakes a "goodwill visit" to Jaffna and visits the forward defence line in Muhamalai He is accorded a civic reception at Hartley College, Jaffna. The PM meets a cross-section of people during the visit and also attends a de-mining demonstration by the Army in Keeramali. Cabinet Ministers and the three service chiefs accompany the PM during the visit.
March 16	Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca asks LTTE to dedicate itself to the peace process and prove it is not a terrorist organisation, if its name were to be removed the State Department’s list of terrorist groups. She says "The LTTE is showing its interest in the negotiations and we hope that it will grab this opportunity to prove that it is not a terrorist organisation".
March 17	Reports says the LTTE would be sending 50 cadres to government controlled areas to conduct political activity after March 24. Cabinet Minister and CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman leads a huge rally in Nuwaraeliya and says upcountry Tamils would give total support to the government's peace efforts as well as the truce between the government and the LTTE.
March 18	Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) activists and a large number of Buddhist monks hold a demonstration in Colombo in protest against the government-LTTE truce agreement.
March 19	Over 50,000 Tamils from Trincomalee and its suburbs participate in the Pongu Tamil (Tamil upsurge) rally and call for a just political solution to the protracted conflict, stressing that all Tamils in the country were united in their demand.
March 21	A blast at an ammunition dump of the Sri Lankan Army in Vavuniya destroys a large stock of 7.62 ammunition and 150 grenades, 120 smoke bombs.
March 22	Finance Minister K N Choksy says durring the Budget Speech that the 6.95 percent defence levy on all goods and services imposed by the predecessor People’s Alliance government for the war with the LTTE caused a steep price rise. He announces that the National Security Levy (NSL) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be abolished from June 1.
March 24	LTTE police force marks 10^th founding day.
March 26	At a meeting attended by LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham and Norway’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jon Westborg, LTTE leader Prabhakaran conveys his consent for peace talks with the government, but insists that the LTTE has to be de-proscribed ahead of the talks.
March 29	Reports say Thailand has agreed to host the peace talks between the government and the LTTE.
April 3	Media reports say an LTTE cadre arrested for extorting money from fishermen at Pasikuda, Batticaloa, on March 30, escaped after threatening police he would swallow cyanide capsule and commit suicide.
April 4	SLMM says it has recorded 35 complaints of cease-fire violation against the LTTE.
April 5	Media reports say the LTTE has asked all vehicle owners to lend their vehicles to it, twice a month, failing which the vehicles would be confiscated. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem says Muslims would hold talks with the LTTE, as they have accepted its apology, in a remark made by Anton Balasingham, on April 3. Balasingham acknowledged that ethnic cleansing was wrong and that the LTTE committed a mistake by driving Muslims away from Jaffna in 1990.
April 11	Prime Minister Wickremesinghe says, "We must commit ourselves to trek the difficult path towards a permanent solution to the ethnic conflict" following Prabhakaran expressing the desire to find a political solution with internal self-determination, while safeguarding the territorial integrity. He says the LTTE could be de-proscribed.
April 12	The US Embassy in Colombo welcomes Prabhakaran’s commitment to peace and a negotiated political settlement as well as willingness to work within a political process and to renounce violence. It also calls for maintaining Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity. Tamil weekly Thinamurasu complaints to the SLMM that the LTTE has ban its circulation in Batticaloa.
April 14	CWC leader Thondaman says an understanding has been reached with the LTTE to work together for resolving the Tamil national question and to work for the right of self-determination of Tamils
April 15	A Norwegian delegation discusses with Premier Wickremasinghe the framework of agenda for the proposed peace talks.
April 16	Media reports say Prabhakran assured SLMC leader Hakeem on April 13 that the LTTE would not collect funds from Muslims in the East, and has also agreed to the latter’s participation in the forthcoming government-LTTE peace talks. The Attorney General (AG) appoints a three-member committee to expedite disposal of cases filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
April 18	President Kumaratunga reiterates support to the peace process, at a meeting with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, and says she is fully committed to the peace process and a negotiated settlement.
April 21	Premier Wickremasinghe says at a peace rally, "peace should be restored through an acceptable solution to all communities within a united Sri Lanka." He "would never divide the country", but would ‘devolve power’.
April 23	Led by general secretary Tilvin Silva, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) activists stage a protest march in Colombo denouncing the government's peace efforts and condemn the truce agreement with the LTTE.
April 27	Parliament Member Mavai Senathirajah says, it is wrong to designate some islets as military zones, and hence, out of bounds for the LTTE. This follows, an announcement by Northern Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Weerasena that Kayts, Punkudutivu, Mandaitivu, Eluvativu, Analativu, Nainativu are out of bounds for the LTTE with forward defence lines having been established there.
April 29	LTTE opens political wing office for Vadamarachchi division in Valvettithurai, Prabhakaran’s native village.
April 30	Media reports say the LTTE has written to the SLMM objecting denial of entry to several islets, which is a violation of the truce terms
May 3	Opposition SLFP says the peace process is being conducted arbitrarily, ignoring the President and without consulting Parliament. It suggests forming a Standing Committee with a role for the President and SLFP-led PA members. The The interim administration in the North and East cannot be handed over to the LTTE alone, it declares, and adds that the LTTE could be de-proscribed only after the peace talks progressed.
May 9	Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse says the cease-fire is ‘one-sided and favoured the LTTE’. In a debate in Parliament, he vows to step up the campaign against the truce. At a press meet, Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris says "Due to disagreement among Opposition political parties in Parliament all efforts to establish a parliamentary joint committee to monitor the cease-fire agreement have proved futile."
May 10	A Tamil youth of Thirukdalooras fishing hamlet is injured in an alleged firing by naval troops in Trincomalee sea, near Koneswaram.
May 16	TULF president Murugesu Sivasithambaram urges the government to de-proscribe the LTTE. He says, "This is a very reasonable request because [it] is going to speak on behalf of the Tamil people as their sole representative." Reports say Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapksha led more than 5000 people in a protest march against the government’s policy on the peace process.
May 20	Reports say Sinhala nationalist elements of the ‘National Movement Against Terrorism’, pasted posters across Colombo denouncing the peace process. An LTTE leader, Karikalan says, "This is the last chance for peace… if the peace talks were to be scuttled and fighting breaks out again, it would be the last war.
May 21	LTTE’s Tamilchelvan and the government’s side Bernard Goonatilake meet in Wanni and discuss ‘commencement of bus services on the A9 highway, repairing the road, political activities in the Northern islands and the removal of Security Forces from religious places’.
May 22	In firing by the STF on a group protesting the arrest of an LTTE cadre in the Kanjikudichcha Aaru general area, a 12-year old Tamil student is injured in Thirukkovil, Batticaloa.
May 24	TNA Parliamentarians present a memorandum to Prime Minister Wickremasighe listing six issues, including among other things, the de-proscription of the LTTE and the full implementation of the truce terms.
May 24	Minister Peiris says the government is likely to table a constitutional amendment on repealing the powers of the President to dissolve Parliament.
June 23	TULF senior Vice- President V. Anandasangaree is elected President of the party following the demise of M. Sivasithamparam
June 25	Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe decides to constitute a Special Independent Commission to probe the alleged attack on LTTE cadres at Vellani, Kayts island, on June 21.
June 26	Unidentified members of an alleged Islamic group attack the home of Tamil journalist P. Satsivanantham in Mutur on and damage the house.
June 27	A Tamil is killed and 13 more injured in attacks by alleged members of an Islamic group in Valaichenai, near Batticaloa. TNA Member of Parliament Joseph Pararajasingham says, "Those who are determined to prevent us from realising our legitimate rights through the peace process are systematically instigating armed Islamic extremists to attack Tamils and create general violence in the east". A Tamil youth is found shot dead in the fields in the vicinity of the Army’s forward defense line at Eluthumadduval, Jaffna district.
June 28	Members of an alleged Islamic group attack and destroyed the house of Deputy Minister for Fisheries Mohideen Abdul Cader in Oddamavadi, near Batticaloa.
June 29	LTTE political wing head for Amparai-Batticaloa Visu meets with military officers and discusses violence in Valaichenai, besides seeking to avoid their recurrence. Three TNA MPs from Batticaloa district alleged police too were involved in the Valaichenai violence and demand a probe.
June 30	Nanattan village, Mannar, residents alleged 15 Army troops entered the village ostensibly to settle a dispute and then went on a rampage beating some 20 people. Also, Murunkan police who arrived on the scene, too, allegedly beat up the villagers.
July 2	Four-day long curfew clamped in the Valaichenai - Oddamavadi general area, following alleged violence by Muslims on June 28 and June 29, is lifted SLMM advises the LTTE that care should be taken to keep protests ‘under control’ as these could vitiate the atmosphere and provoke unrest and violence.
July 3	The Defence Ministry says there is no evidence to charge particular individuals of the Armed Forces in the alleged attack on LTTE cadres in Kayts Island. Naval troops arrest three unarmed LTTE cadres while on their way by boat from Upparu to Sampoor in Mutur east, while the Army arrests three more unarmed cadres between Kanniya and Vilgam Vihare. Police arrest Abu Salee Naseer, who allegedly works for the Intelligence Unit of the Sri Lankan Army, for attempting to incite violence against Tamils.
July 5	LTTE observes the annual Black Tigers day. The first Black Tiger casualty was reported on this day in 1987.
July 6	SLMC leader Hakeem warns, if things in the Eastern Province did not improve, they would demand that the LTTE decommission arms ahead of peace talks. An LTTE deserter and his wife are killed in a grenade attack by suspected LTTE cadres at Soruwila, Aralagamwila, Polonnaruwa district.
July 7	LTTE Political wing leader Karikalan assures Western Regional Development Minister M.H Mohamed and Co-operative Minister A.R.M Cader that the Muslim community in the Eastern province would not be harassed. Three children are killed and another sustained injuries when they toss around a grenade at their school, earlier the venue of Maha Vilankulam Army camp.
July 9	Cabinet Minister and former Speaker M. H. Mohammed says at a press conference in Colombo, the LTTE has "no hand in the recent troubles in the East". It was caused by "a third force, which is against the peace process…."
July 10	Opposition People’s Alliance, the JVP and right-wing Sinhala nationalist groups organise a massive rally in Colombo against the peace process and ask the people to reject the truce with the LTTE.
July 11	Trincomalee SLMM head Victoria Lund informs LTTE Trincomalee commander Pathuman that the Army assured it would not arrest LTTE cadres, when Pathuman raised the issue of five LTTE cadres having been arrested in June.
July 14	Elite security forces detain an unarmed LTTE cadre in Karaitivu and subsequently handed him over to Kalmunai police.
July 15	Media reports say the LTTE alleged that naval troops have damaged their vessel in the Iranaitivu seas during a search that revealed no contraband. Also, LTTE cadres take two Monitors hostage and speed away to safety, on July 13.
July 15	Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen discusses with LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham, in London, furthering the peace process as well as probable dates for direct talks with the government. SLMM Deputy Chief Hagrup Haukland says, "We have to rethink the concept of operation at sea", following the LTTE taking two Monitors hostage a day earlier and later setting them free.
July 16	TNA MPs meet Premier Wickremasinghe and inform him that the Army is establishing new camps, besides expanding old ones in Thenmaradchi. LTTE denies taking Monitors hostage and issues a statement. It says, "Sea Tiger cadres brought [SLMM] members ashore … to prevent any harm being done to them and to ensure their safety. We prevented them from jumping into the turbulent sea to reach the naval gunboat. We are disappointed to note that the SLMM members have assumed that they were held against their wishes. We deeply regret if any inconvenience [was] caused to them."
July 17	LTTE remembers Charles Anthony (Seelan), the first LTTE commander to have been killed in the protracted war. Minister Peris says, "Although several political groups have requested for the revision of the cease-fire agreement the government considers it a complete document", so the need does not exist to make any changes.
July 18	Naval personnel and LTTE cadres present evidence before Air Vice-Marshall (Retd) Harry Gunatillake commission on the Kayts island incident in which the navy allegedly assaulted LTTE cadres.
July 20, 21	Defence Secretary Austin Fernando Army commander Lt.Gen Lionel Balagalle Navy commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri visit Jaffna district to explore resettling thousands of displaced families in Valikamam north and Thenmaradchi sectors.
July 24	"The SLMM will continue in sea operations, but with a couple of minor changes in the procedure," SLMM Deputy Head Hagrup Haukland says. Now, naval monitors have the right to decide on the vessels that would be intercepted as well as assess if it is "appropriate" and "safe enough" to embark it for inspection.
July 25	A soldier is killed in retaliatory firing by the LTTE when he, contrary to orders from superiors, strayed into LTTE-area crossing the zone of separation, 150m East of Muhamalai Checkpoint, on the A9 road. This is the first casualty on any of the sides after the truce came into force in February.
July 26	SLMM formally announces new sea-monitoring procedures. It says, monitors will be stationed on board SLN vessels and will fly the SLMM flag only when required. They will not embark LTTE vessels for inspection routinely, but only when specially required. Before boarding SLN vessels, they will be briefed on safety arrangements and procedures. Also, they will have access to the vessel’s communication systems to stay in touch with SLMM headquarters.
July 27	Minister for Economic Reforms Milinda Moragoda and LTTE ideologue Balasingham meet in London and discuss the ‘permanent cease-fire agreement’, preparations for direct talks, agenda for the talks and the proposed interim administration in the North East.
August 1	An SLMM statement says, it discussed at length with the LTTE, "movement at sea by the LTTE. "A solution to this is expected in the near future." The LTTE agreed to ’95 per cent’ of the conditions that were set to permit movement at sea.
August 1	The deadline set for government troops to vacate public-places ends.
August 4	LTTE ‘police’ arrest three Army reservists in Mannar and a soldier and his two civilian associates on Mulathivu coast for entering areas under its control.
August 7	Attorney General K C Kamasabeyson says those detained under the PTA would be released on merit. Only those against whom there was no substantial evidence would be released he adds.
August 12	SLMM says the LTTE can now ferry cadres and civilian passengers in its own vessels but an SLMM member would travel on-board the vessel.
August 14	Norway announces that formal, direct talks between the government and the LTTE would commence sometime between September 12 and 17, in Thailand.
August 16	Media Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar says, in Trincomalee, the JVP and People’s Alliance are working towards "derailing" the peace process. He says, "Peace loving people of the country should not allow these elements to succeed."
August 17	Premier Wickremasinghe says there can no fixed time frame nor, could the talks start with tabling ‘concrete’ proposals. Both sides have to understand each other and the particular problem each is faced with.
August 18	Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris announces in Trincomalee he lead the government delegation at the forthcoming talks with the LTTE. A convoy of four boats carrying 170 unarmed Sea Tigers cadres sails from Mullaithivu coast to Vakarai, 64km North of Batticaloa.
August 23	Norway announces that direct peace talks between the government and the LTTE will take place between September 16 and 18, in Thailand. Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen says, "There is no reason to conceal that there are considerable difficulties ahead. But, there is also a determination on both sides to seek a lasting political settlement of the ethnic conflict" Reports say US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage assured his government would support the ongoing peace process as forcefully as it can, and help end, through a negotiated settlement, the protracted conflict. Government’s Peace Secretariat Secretary General Bernard Gunatillake meets LTTE political-wing leader S. P. Thamilchelvan and discusses various issues, including the development of the north east, in Kilinochchi.
August 24	Defence Minister Marapone says, "the government has already decided to lift the ban…[on the LTTE. It] is now in the process of making arrangements to issue an official announcement in this regard."
August 26	Reports say according to Finance Minister K N Choksy, the Cabinet will discuss, on August 28, the 18th amendment, which seeks to restrict the powers of the Executive President.
August 25	Chief of elite Leopard Commandos ‘colonel’ Raju (Kuyilan) passes away due to terminal illness.
August 27	The LTTE announces its team for the peace talks. Anton Balasingham will lead the delegation. The other members are legal advisor V. Rudrakumar, rehabilitation and development expert Jay Maheswaran and Adele Balasingham, who will be the delegation’s secretary.
August 29	Tamils allege that naval troops have assaulted seven civilians, including two school children, in Karainagar in Jaffna, during night.
August 31	Media reports say a special High Court has been established at Welikada Prison to expedite PTA cases and will start functioning from September 15
September 1	Kumaratunga tells a group of Monks, "I will oppose de-proscribing the LTTE before the commencement of direct peace talks. I will also oppose the setting up of interim administration in the northeast before reaching an agreement with the LTTE … on the core issues related to the conflict." Prime Minister's Secretary Bradman Weerakoon and LTTE political-wing head Tamilchelvam discuss development of the North-East, immediate reconstruction and resettlement and issues relating to the ongoing truce.
September 2	Kumaratunga assures the Island Muslim Moulavis Organization of protection in the North and East. The clerics apprise the President of difficulties Muslims were facing due to abductions and extortion by the LTTE.
September 3	Army sergeant Ravin de Silva is shot dead by an unidentified armed man at Horetuduwa. Balasingham and SLMC leader Hakeem agree, in London, that the latter would be part of the government team at the first round of peace talks and also participate in the subsequent rounds as a representative of the island’s Muslim community. They also discuss relations between the Tamils and the Muslims. Lead by the JVP, several thousands participate in a massive rally protesting the government's decision to lift the ban on the LTTE. PA general secretary D.M.Jayaratne says, "To instill confidence in the masses [on] the outcome of peace talks the agenda should be made known in advance."
September 5	The LTTE is de-proscribed. The British High Commission in Colombo says, "We hope that the LTTE will indeed conclude that violence no longer has a part to play in resolving Sri Lanka's problems and that they will renounce terrorism". The LTTE continues to be banned in the UK.
September 8	Media reports say veteran LTTE commander and a member of the LTTE delegation at earlier rounds of peace talks, Yogaratnam Yogi went to Jaffna from the Wanni on a private visit, sometime last week.
September 9	Prime Minister Wickremasinghe says, in Colombo, at a rally, ‘only some disillusioned and disgruntled politicians who thrive on communal politics have refrained from providing support to the peace process'. Norway says, following the inaugural session on September 16, four sessions of talks would be held in Sattahip, Thailand. A new release approved by both the government and the LTTE would be issued on September 18, it adds.
September 11	Residents of Saakamam, an interior Tamil village on the southeastern coast, claim STF personnel have assaulted six persons.
September 12	LTTE Northern Front Forces commander Col. Theepan and Army SLA Jaffna commander Major. Gen. Sarath Fonseka meet in the no man’s land in Muhamalai and discuss opening Pt. Pedro–Maruthankerni Road and positioning the Forward Defence Line (FDL) in the Nagar Kovil sector. Both sides reportedly agreed not to build new defence positions in Nagar Kovil sector. A media report says the LTTE has set free 85 child soldiers and they have been restored to their families, over the past few weeks. Kumaratunga asks the government to raise LTTE truce violations at the forthcoming peace talks. She says, "I cannot think of any responsible government anywhere in the world that would have acted in this manner in the name of peace, with regard to one of the world's most ruthless terrorist organisations which has not yet even agreed to give up terrorism."
September 16	Government, LTTE talks begin with cautious optimism in Thailand.
September 18	A media report says LTTE chief negotiator Balasingham assured that the LTTE has no intention of resuming war to win the rights of the Tamil people. Hew also says, "The question of decommissioning does not arise until a firm decision is arrived at to address the question of the Tamil minority. For the success of the talks, there should be support from the people of the South (the Sinhalese)". The LTTE says it is now asking for maximum autonomy and self-government but not a separate state. Cabinet Minister and government chief negotiator Peiris says, "unlike in 1994, there was tremendous trust and understanding between the participants". He adds, "Their (LTTE) aspirations can be fulfilled within one country if we set about it in the proper way". Peiris adds, "If the Interim Administration should be seen as part of a process it will not stop there but will proceed to a coherent structure to accelerate the development work".
September 20	LTTE Trincomalee Area Commander Pathuman presides over the ‘passing-out parade’ of fresh recruits, at Chenaiyoor Central College grounds, south of Trincomalee. He says, "Passing out parades are routine events within any armed force. No one should misunderstand this event and other military exercises as preparation for war by the LTTE… keeping a strong, well-trained military force is essential for achieving legitimate aspirations of the Tamils". Norwegian envoy Eric Solheim says, "If the Muslims, the Tamils and Sinhalese who have been forced away from their home can't go back home, the (peace) process will be much more difficult". Resettlement is esential for the success of the peace process, he adds.
September 21	The LTTE condemns a leaflet issued in the name of ‘Elalan Force’asking Muslims in the Mannar to leave the place before end-September or face death.
September 22	Prime Minister Wickremesinghe discloses that politically sensitive issues like self-determination and political autonomy for Tamils would be discussed at a very late stage in the peace process. "Economic reconstruction and development of the affected areas will be a deciding factor in sustaining the momentum of political negotiations", he states.
September 23	A report says 1,500 displaced families returned home in Trincomalee district since the truce came into force in February.
September 24	A media report says Wickremesinghe informed at the Asia Society in New York that all discussions in the ongoing peace process would be transparent, and held in good faith. He also said, "It was no exaggeration to say that further prolongation of war might well have destroyed our democracy".
	SLMC leader Hakeem says, in Colombo, the demand for a separate council or an administrative unit for Muslims in the Northeast was not the need of the hour, but striving hard to ensure permanent peace in the country.
September 25	LTTE takes into custody seven soldiers, who it claimed had entered a security zone between two LTTE camps at Kumburupiddy, 22km north of Trincomalee.
September 28	Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters chief Prelates Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Maha Nayaka Thera and Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Maha Nayaka Thera express happiness at the successful conclusion of the first round of peace talks. The government and LTTE swap ‘prisoners of war’. Sri Lankan troops captured during 1993 and 1994 clashes are exchanged for 13 LTTE cadres.
October 2	LTTE releases at Kumburupiddy, 22km north of Trincomalee, a government soldier who is among the seven troops taken into custody inside the security zone between two LTTE camps in Kumburupitty.
October 3	Addressing security forces, Kumaratunga says, "We look at this decisive moment in our history as one in which we hope for a durable and lasting peace - a peace with Dignity and respect for all". LTTE political wing leader Tamilselvam says, "We urge the government … to take immediate and concrete steps to facilitate the release of all Tamil political prisoners without further delay," and give a fillip to the peace process.
October 6	LTTE says six Army personnel in its custody since September 25 would be set free if its two cadres held for carrying arms in government-controlled area are released.
October 8	While warning the LTTE not to "twist the arm of this court by holding soldiers to ransom," the Court of Appeal in Trincomalee grants bail to the two LTTE cadres.
October 9	LTTE sets free the six soldiers in its custody. At least five persons are killed and 16 more others injured in a clash between STF personnel a group of 1,000 persons, including a small number of LTTE cadres, at Tirukkovil, 230km east of Colombo. A mob allegedly attacked the STF camp to retaliate an alleged assault of two LTTE cadres earlier in the day.
October 10	Reports quoting Cabinet spokesperson G L Peiris say the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) would not be repealed.
October 11	Three persons are killed and 40 more wounded while holding a demonstration in Trincomalee against the October 9 incident in which eight persons were killed during the attempt to forcibly entry the Special Task Force (STF) camp in, Kanjirankudah, in Thirukkovil
October 14	Rural and Community Development Solidarity, a voluntary agency, urges the LTTE and the government to set free detainees in their custody. Five LTTE cadres, four of them children, surrender at a church in Muttur, Trincomalee district.
October 16	Diplomats from the European Union, Denmark, Greece and Italy meet LTTE) chief negotiator and ideologue Anton Balasingham, in Killinochchi, and extend support to the ongoing peace process. Reports allege a soldier of the Sri Lankan Army assaulted two Tamil fishermen in Katkovalam coastal village, Vadamaradchi.
October 18	The Attorney General indicts five troops for killing eight Tamil civilians, including a five year-old child, in Mirusuvil, Jaffna district, in the year 2000.
October 21	A Norwegian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen meets with Prime Minister Wickremasinghe, government chief negotiator G L Peiris and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa ahaed of the second round of peace talks with the LTTE on October 31.
October 22	The Speaker informs Parliament of the Supreme Court’s decision on the 18^th and 19^th Amendments The Apex Court says the 18^th Amendment in its entirety needed to be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament and subsequently ratified at a countrywide referendum. On the 19^th Amendment, the Court says clause 6 on conscience voting violates the provisions of the Constitution, and should hence be dropped.
October 23	Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen meets LTTE chief Prabhakaran and discusses "crucial issues pertaining to the formation of the Joint Task Force (JTF)" for economic development and reconstruction of the northeast.
October 25	The government says that at the second round of peace talks forming a Joint Task Force (JTF), resettlement of displaced persons and strengthening the implementation of the ongoing truce would be discussed.
October 30	Unidentified persons burn down two shops owned by Tamils, in Pottuvil, Ampara district. The shops are located just 500m away from the Kanchirankuda STF camp. In Colombo clashes are reported between Sinhala and Muslim communities resulting in the death of a Muslim and injuries to 12 more.
November 5	United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan says he is encouraged by the progress made in the peace talks between the government and the LTTE. His spokesman Fred Eckhard says, "He (Annan) sincerely hopes further rounds will lead to a lasting political solution to the internal conflict in Sri Lanka."
November 7	LTTE deices to let displaced families resettle in Kudarappu, a village that falls in the high security zone it controls in Nagar kovil sector.
November 10	At a meeting of the Sub-committee on De-escalation and Normalisation (SDN)––defence committee—the government agrees to lift fishing restrictions at two points.
November 12	President Kumaratunga proposes forming the National Committee for Ethnic Reconciliation and Sustainable Peace to identify the issues and find a durable solution to the protracted conflict.
November 13	Sri Lanka Muslim Congress parliamentarians end 45 day- boycott of Parliament following an assurance by Premier Wickremasinghe on security to Muslims in the East. The (JVP) commemorates leaders and cadres killed in the failed insurrection twice––in 1971 1989. On this day, the then JVP chief, Rohana Wijeweera was captured and executed.
November 15	LTTE announces it would be recruiting more personnel into its Tamil Eelam Police.
November 16	The LTTE and Armed Forces meet in Muhamalai and discuss resettling displaced families in high security zones and the removal of fishing restriction in Jaffna peninsula.
November 18	Curfew is imposed in Mundal, Marunthakuli, and 11 more villages in Chilaw division, North Western Province following clashes between Sinhalese and Muslims. Premier Wickremesinghe assures SLMC leader and Cabinet Minister Rauf Hakeem that the government will broach the subject of "LTTE police stations" at the talks in Oslo from December 2 to 5. "Maintaining our (LTTE) military strength is vital if we are to be successful in our negotiations", says Batticoloa-Amparai military section head col. Ramesh, at the passing out parade of a special commando unit. A Muslim youth is killed in police firing to quell a mob of Muslims in Galle-Katugoda area. Four policemen and three Muslims are injured, too, in the incident. A group of Sinhala youth attack a Muslim refugee camp in Puttalam-Srimapura area and damage 15 houses.
November 19	A group of unidentified youth attacks the Thenmaradchi office of the paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in Nunavil east area, Jaffna district.
November 20	The Jaffna District People’s Movement (JDPM) organises protests in the district asking the EPDP to vacate Delft Island.
November 21	An unidentified group attacks EPDP Vadamarachi unit acting head Arafath at his residence.
November 24	Premier Wickremesinghe and LTTE chief negotiator Balasingham meet in Oslo ahead of a meeting of several counties convened to provide aid to war-torn Sri Lanka for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
November 25	The US, the UK, the European Union and several other countries pledge financial assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction and say the exact amount would be announced at a larger meeting in Tokyo in March 2003.
November 26	Protesting the LTTE running its own courts, JVP MP Wimal Weerawanse says, "If we voted for the budgetary allocation… it would be tantamount to accept[ing] the [LTTE] courts and police stations in the country.
November 27	LTTE chief Prabhakaran says in the Annual Heroes Day speech, that the LTTE favours a solution that is ‘reasonable’, and declares, "… If our demand for regional self-rule on the right to internal self-determination is rejected, we have no alternative than to secede and form an independent state."
November 28	Reports say the European Commission has offered 17.5 million euros in its 2003 budget in aid. Besides, the Commission says it is finalising with Sri Lanka the use of 20 million euros Counterpart Funds to support the Unified Assistance Scheme set up to help resettle internally displaced persons. This sum is in addition to 17.3 million euros already committed or programmed under the 2002 budget.
December 2	LTTE inaugurates its second court in the eastern province, in Kattaiparichchan village, Muttur east.
December 3	LTTE ideologue Balasingham says… "If they (the US) demand a verbal renunciation [of violence] it is absurd because we are not the only party involved in violence. The Sinhala armed forces and the LTTE have been involved in an armed confrontation fore the last two decades and both parties have renounced violence in a proper manner…"
December 4	Cabinet Minister G L Peiris says commencement of the political discussions is the "most significant––we have reached the point at which the political solution can be addressed". He says there is a ‘wide gulf’ between the positions of the two sides on power sharing, and adds, "It is now our task to work out the mechanisms by which power can be shared. It will be a long haul". Balasingham says the LTTE leader announcing seeking a solution within a united Sri Lanka, had "set the framework for core issues to be dealt with." He adds, "We are seeking regional autonomy within a united, integral Sri Lanka."
December 5	The government and the LTTE announce at the end of the third round of peace talks in Oslo that they would ‘explore’ a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka.
December 9	Minister Peiris warns, at a press conference in Colombo, those opposing the peace process that the LTTE would resume war if a solution based on federal framework is not is not reached.
December 10	At least 15 persons are injured, in Nelliady, near Jaffna, when police lob tear gas shells and open fire to disperse picketers outside the EPDP office.
December 11	Jaffna area commander Major General Sarath Fonseka says the High Security Zones (HSZ) in Jaffna peninsula would continue.
December 12	Police at Uthayapuram checkpoint, Ampara district, arrest four LTTE cadres, two of them women, for refusing to halt. An explosion is set-off at the office of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in Batticaloa causing minor damage.
December 15	The secretariat of the Sub-Committee for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Northeast is inaugurated in Kilinochchi, with bureaucrat Iranius Selvin as the director.
December 21	The dead body of Porathivu regional council member Poopalapillai Alaguthurai, of the EPRLF is recovered from Mandoor lake, near Batticaloa-Amparai border. He is reported missing since December 16 and the LTTE is accused of having abducted him.
December 24	The Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya (JSS), or the National Bhikkhu Front, protests the alleged partiality towards the LTTE of Norway, the facilitator in the peace process. A member of the Varathan group of the Special Task Force, a paramilitary force of the government, is was shot by unidentified armed-persons in Aaraiyampathy, Batticaloa district.
December 30	JVP leaders discuss with President Kumaratunga the ongoing peace talks between the government and the LTTE, and the disagreement over withdrawal of forces from High Security Zones, as well as general security matters. Three fishermen are reported missing and two more were seriously wounded following gunboats of the Sri Lanka Navy allegedly ramming two fishing boats in two separate incidents, in the northern sea.
December 31	Minister Milinda Maragoda heads a government team to Jaffna for discussing the issue of resettling displaced families in High Security Zones.