Eelam War IV

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict = Eelam War IV
partof = the Sri Lankan civil war
date = July 2006 – Present
place = Sri Lanka
casus =
result = Ongoing war
combatant1 =
combatant2 = Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
commander1 = Mahinda Rajapakse
commander2 = Velupillai Prabhakaran
strength1 = 150,000 (approx.)
strength2 = 18,000 (approx.)
casualties1 =
casualties2 =

Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by 33 countries (see list). Renewed hostilities began on the July 26 2006 when Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed several LTTE camps around Mavil Aru anicut. The government's casus belli was that the LTTE had cut-off the water supply to surrounding paddy fields in the area. The fighting resumed after a four-year ceasefire, nominally still in place, between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and LTTE. Continued fighting lead to several territorial gains for the Sri Lankan Army, including the capture of Sampur, Vakarai and other parts of the east. The war took on an added dimension when the LTTE Air Tigers bombed Katunayake airbase on March 26 2007, the first rebel air attack without external assistance in history.

Peace process 2002

The elections, held on December 5, 2001 saw a sweeping victory for the United National Front, led by Ranil Wickremasinghe, who campaigned on a pro-peace platform and pledged to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

On December 19, amidst efforts by Norway to bring the government and the Tamil Tigers to the negotiating table, the LTTE announced a 30 day ceasefire with the Sri Lankan government and pledged to halt all attacks against government forces.cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1719133.stm | title =Sri Lanka rebels announce truce| work =|publisher = BBC News|date = 19 December, 2001] The new government welcomed the move,and reciprocated it 2 days later, announcing a month long ceasefire and agreeing to lift a long standingeconomic embargo on rebel-held territory.cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1723419.stm | title =Sri Lanka enters truce with rebels
work =|publisher = BBC News|date = 21 December, 2001]

igning of MoU

The two sides formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 22, 2002 and signed a permanent ceasefire agreement (CFA). Norway was named mediator, and it was decided that they, together with the other Nordic countries, monitor the ceasefire through a committee of experts named the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1835737.stm | title =Sri Lanka seals truce deal| work =|publisher = BBC News|date = 22 February, 2002] In August, the government agreed to lift the ban on the LTTE and paved the way for the resumption of direct negotiations with the LTTE.cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2217189.stm | title =Colombo lifts ban on Tamil Tigers| work =|publisher = BBC News|date = 26 August, 2002] Following the signing of the ceasefire agreement, commercial air flights to Jaffna began and the LTTE opened the key A9 highway, which linked government controlled area in the south with Jaffna and ran through LTTE territory, allowing civilian traffic through the Vanni region for the first time in many years. Many foreign countries also offered substantial financial support if peace was achieved and optimism grew that an end to the decades long conflict was in sight.

The much anticipated peace talks began in Phuket, Thailand on the September 16 and 5 further rounds followed in Phuket, Norway and Berlin, Germany.cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2260047.stm | title =Upbeat opening for Sri Lanka talks| work =|publisher = BBC News|date = 16 September, 2002] During the talks, both sides agreed to the principle of a federal solution and the Tigers dropped their long standing demand for separate state. This was a key compromise from the LTTE, which had always insisted on an independent Tamil state and it also represented a compromise from the government, which had seldom agreed to more than minimal devolution. Both sides also exchanged prisoners of war for first time."BBC News", [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/country_profiles/1166237.stm Timeline: Sri Lanka] ]

Beginning of the war

A new crisis leading to the first large-scale fighting since signing of the ceasefire occurred when the LTTE closed the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru reservoir on July 21 and cut the water supply to 15,000 villages in government controlled areas.cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5249884.stm | title = Sri Lanka forces attack reservoir|work =|publisher = BBC News|date=2006-08-06|] After initial negotiations and efforts by the SLMM to open the gates failed, the Air Force attacked LTTE positions on July 26, and ground troops began an operation to open the gate.cite news | url = http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/07/27/front/6.asp | title = Air Force jets hit LTTE targets|work =Sunil Jayasiri|publisher = The Daily Mirror|date=2006-07-27|] Palitha Kohona, a government spokesman, stated that the government remained committed to the cease-fire. [ [http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/12/05/lankanews.html Sri Lanka Newspapers - Sri Lanka News Updates around the clock ] ] . Likewise, the LTTE also claimed that they were committed to the ceasefire [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5237114.stm BBC NEWS | South Asia | 'Muslims flee' Sri Lanka fighting ] ]

The sluice gates were eventually reopened on August 8, with conflicting reports as to who actually opened them. Initially, the SLMM claimed that they managed to persuade the LTTE to lift the waterway blockade conditionally.cite news |url =http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2316/stories/20060825001405400.htm |title = Water war |work = B. Muralidhar Reddy |publisher = The Hindu |date = August 12 2006] However a government spokesman said that "utilities could not be used as bargaining tools" by the rebelscite news |url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5249884.stm|title = Sri Lanka forces attack reservoir |work = |publisher = BBC News |date = August 6 2006] and government forces launched fresh attacks on LTTE positions around the reservoir. These attacks prompted condemnation from SLMM Chief of Staff, who stated "(The government) have the information that the LTTE has made this offer." "It is quite obvious they are not interested in water. They are interested in something else." The LTTE then claimed they opened the sluice gates "on humanitarian grounds"."The Sunday Times Situation Report", [http://sundaytimes.lk/060813/index.html Eelam war IV rages on several fronts] ] Eventually, following heavy fighting with the rebels, government troops gained full control of the Mavil Aru reservoir on August 15."Iqbal Athas, Janes Defence Weekly," [http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jdw/jdw060817_1_n.shtml Full-scale fighting flares in Sri Lanka] ]

War in east

See also: Operation Definite Victory

The war between LTTE and Sri Lankan government started after the failure of Norway brokered cease fire on July 21, 2006, when LTTE cut off the water supply to the rice growing fields in the Mavil aru area in eastern Trincomalee district. The government military claimed the total control of the eastern province after capturing the Thoppigala (Baron's cap) on July 11, 2007 nearly a year of fighting. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6895809.stm|title='War victory party' in Sri Lanka|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-07-12]

The TMVP contested Batticaloa district local council election on March 10, 2008 and won all 9 councils with a high majority 70% of votes. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7288942.stm|title=Ex-Tamil Tigers win local polls|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-03-11] The party also contested in Eastern Provincial Council election May 10, 2008 under the ruling UPFA banner and UPFA won the election. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7394488.stm|title=Sri Lankan government wins vote|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-05-11] TMVP's current leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan sworn as the Chief Minister of Eastern Provincial Council on May 16, 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2008/05/080516_pillayan_cm.shtml|title=CM appointment illegal - Hisbullah|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-05-16]

War in north

Meanwhile, in the north of the country, some of the bloodiest fighting since 2001 took place after the LTTE launched massive attacks on Sri Lanka Army defence lines in the Jaffna peninsula on August 11. The LTTE used a force of 400 to 500 fighters in the attacks which consisted of land and amphibious assaults, and also fired a barrage of artillery at government positions, including the key military airbase at Palaly.cite news | url = http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200608121801.htm | title = At least 127 combatants killed in Lanka fighting: military |work =|publisher = The Hindu| date =August 12, 2006] Initially, the Tigers broke through army defense lines around Muhamalai, and advanced further north,cite news | url = http://news.oneindia.in/2006/08/12/sri-lanka-rebels-say-destroy-northern-defences-advance-1155353635.html | title = Lanka rebels destroy northern defenses, advance |work =|publisher = One India| date =August 12, 2006] but they were halted after 10 hours of fierce fighting. Isolated battles continued over the next few days, but the LTTE was forced to give up its offensive due to heavy casualties.cite news | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1883909,000500020002.htm | title = Lanka's chilling 2006 timeline |work =PK Balachandran|publisher = Hindustan Times| date =December 30, 2006]

Sporadic fighting in the North has been going on for months, but the intensity of the clashes has increased since September 2007. During clashes in the Forward Defence Lines, separating their forces, both sides exchange heavy artillery fire, after which military incursions follow. By December 22, 2007 the LTTE defences at Uyilankulama and Thampanai were lost to advancing troops of the Sri Lanka Army. On December 29, 2007 the Army overran the LTTE stronghold at Parappakandal, Mannar.

In an interview with the 'Sunday Observer' the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said that the Army has occupied the LTTE's Forward Defence Lines and surrounded the Wanni LTTE bases from all directions. He also said that there are around 3,000 Tigers remaining and that the military targets to annihilate them within the first six months of the next year. A day later there were less optimistic statements by Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders. The Army is to face in the Wanni an estimated 5,000 Tiger cadres. The Commander of the Army has intention of shifting the current battles in the Forward Defence Lines to a decisive phase in August 2008. In Commanders' view, it is quite possible to defeat the LTTE in 2008.

The military of Sri Lanka claims that the leader of the LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran was seriously injured during air strikes carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force on a bunker complex in Jayanthinagar on November 26, 2007. Earlier, on November 2, 2007 S. P. Thamilselvan, who was the head of the rebels' political wing, was killed during another government air raid. The Sri Lanka Air Force has openly vowed to destroy the entire leadership of the LTTE. On January 5, 2008 Col. Charles, Head of LTTE Military Intelligence, was killed in claymore ambush by a suspected Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit according to a Pro-LTTE website. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7173679.stm] ]

Currently the war in the Northern front is at stalemate due to the unique topology of the two major Forward Defence Lines, The Nagarcoil FDL and The Muhamalai FDL.

Liberation of Mannar District

On 2nd August 2008 the Sri lankan army captured the town of Vellankulam which was the last bastion of Tigers in the Mannar district [http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/6-0&fp=4896a195de054ea3&ei=UUmWSOmVHZDywAH50ZHbBA&url=http%3A//www.hindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080356141400.htm&cid=1229347882&usg=AFQjCNG-UiOY3v0s_a2pf1Ebkni4YaD6Xw] . This marked the liberation of the entire Mannar district by the Army which took eight months [http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/12554] .

Battles at Sea

On March 22 2008, a Navy fast attack boat was destroyed after it hit a suspected sea mine laid by Tamil Tiger rebels off the country's north-east coast [http://www.gulfnews.com/World/Sri_Lanka/10199382.html] [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/22/2196752.htm] .

Battle in air

The battle in air is significant for both sides (GoSL and LTTE) in this phase of war. The Sri Lankan air-force using their attack planes to carry out bombing campaign in identified LTTE targets. The LTTE Air Tigers also using their light air crafts to carry out bombing on Sri Lankan military.

Major air strikes of SLAF

* On August 14th, 2006 SLAF bombed on a facility in the rebel held Mullaitivu area, Chencholai airstrike. The LTTE claimed 61 girls were killed, the SLMM stated they were able to count just 19 bodies.cite news |url = http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/article_1190181.php/61_girls_killed_in_airstrike_8_dead_in_Colombo_blast__2nd_Roundup_|title = SLMM counted 19 Bodies|work = |publisher = monstersandcritics.com |date = 13 August 2006] The government claimed that it was an LTTE training facility and that the children were LTTE child soldiers,cite news |url = http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/&articleid=280855|title = Unicef: Bombed orphans were not Tamil Tigers |work = |publisher = Mail and Guardian Online |date = 15 August 2006] although the LTTE claimed the victims were schoolgirls attending a course on first aid at an orphanage. A team from the UN children's fund (Unicef) and the Swedish-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) visited the bombed site and said they had found no evidence to support claims the rebels had been using the facility as a military training centre.

* On May 7th, 2007 morning around 07:25 AM the supersonic fighter jets of Sri Lankan Air-force bombed strategic LTTE base and a large fuel storage at Ramanatpuram East of Iranamadu. The fire lasted more than six hours in fuel storage causes very high flames of fire.

* On November 2007,Thamilselvan, along with 5 other high ranking Tamil rebels were killed by a precision air strike carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on an undisclosed location near the rebels's stronghold town of Kilinochchi

LTTE air strikes

* LTTE air strikes occurred for the first time in history on March 26th 2007 on an air-force base at Katunayake, killing 3 Air Force personnel and wounding several.

* LTTE aircraft attacked Palali military complex by dropping bombs on April 23rd 2007, killing 6 soldiers and wounding 13.

* The LTTE attacked Katunayake air base on April 26th 2007 for the second time, one month after their first attack on the same location.

* On April 29th, 2007 LTTE aircraft bombed 2 fuel tanks at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela close to Colombo around 01:45 AM Sri Lankan time.

;Palali raidOn April 23, the Air Tigers conducted their second raid. One aircraft flew toward the Palali Air Base near Jaffna, which is the main military complex in the region. Anti‐aircraft fire prevented the aircraft from bombing the runways, but it instead dropped its bombs on a nearby military bunker, killing six soldiers.

;Colombo raidsOn April 26, Sri Lanka’s air defenses in Colombo fired into the sky following reports that unidentified aircraft had been spotted on radar. No attack was reported.

However, a few days later on the early morning of April 29, while the entire nation was watching the Cricket World Cup Final. a Tiger aircraft bombed two fuel storage facilities outside Colombo. Chaos followed and electricity in the capital was shut off for nearly an hour. There were no casualties and minimal damage. The security forces were unable to bring down the aircraft prompting much criticism from the public and opposition political parties.

Although the government played down the attack Shell's Sri Lankan country director, Hassan Madan told the AFP "There was big damage to our fire-fighting facility and we estimate it will cost us in excess of 75 m rupees ($700,000) to put things back".

On October 22, 2007, Air Tiger's launched a pre-dawn combined arms assault on a SLAF airbase at Anuradhapura, about 212 kilometers (132 miles) north of the capital, Colombo.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the assault started at around 3:20 am, with LTTE ground forces attacking the airbase and overrunning key positions, including an anti-aircraft position before Air Tiger's ultra lights dropped bombs on government positions. This resulted in the destruction of eight aircraft and damage to several others. [ [http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071024_07 Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka] ] The attack only affected the SLAF's training element.

Assassinations

* Then Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, a Tamil who was highly respected by foreign diplomats and who had been sharply critical of the LTTE, was assassinated at his home on August 12, 2005, allegedly by an LTTE sniper. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4147196.stm |title=Senior Sri Lanka minister killed |accessdate=2005-08-13|format= |work=BBC News ] His assassination led to the marginalisation of the LTTE from the international community.

* The assassination of well renowned Tamil diplomat the Deputy Peace Secretariat General for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) Mr. Kethesh Loganathan on August 12th, 2006 at Dehiwala by shooting at around 9:30 PM. He has been very keen to bring peace to the country also participated in Thimpu peace talks in 1980's. Rajapakse condemned the murder and blamed the LTTE.

* The assassination of the head Priest of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil Rev Selliah Parameswaran Kurukkal on February 07, 2007 in his home Batticaloa. The LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government blamed each other for this murder. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/09/stories/2007020902671500.htm The Hindu : International : Hindu priest shot dead ] ] [ [http://www.ltteps.org/?view=1857&folder=2 LTTE PS: Another Hindu priest murdered by paramilitary ] ]

*UNP Parliamentarian T. Maheshwaran [cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sri_Lankan_Tamil_MP_shot_dead_at_Hindu_temple_in_Colombo/articleshow/2666314.cms| title=Sri Lankan Tamil MP shot dead at Hindu temple in Colombo [Updated] | work =|publisher = | date = 2008-03-16]

*A roadside bomb killed Non-cabinet Nation Building Minister, D. M. Dassanayake on January 8 2008 at Ja-ela town located 19km north of Colombo city. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7176207.stm|title=Sri Lankan minister dies in blast|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-01-08] [cite news | url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080108_06| title=Minister D.M Dassanayake and his body guard succumb to injuries- Ragama| work =|publisher = Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka| date = 2008-01-10]

*A suspected LTTE suicide bomber killed cabinet Minister of Highways & Road Development Jeyaraj Fernandopulle on April 6, 2008 at Weliveriya Gampaha district. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7332952.stm|title=Blast 'kills Sri Lankan minister'|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-04-06]

Impact of war into civilian life

Since the latest upsurge in violence in April, nearly 40,000 people have been displaced in Sri Lanka. This comes amidst the governments air strikes on civilian populated areas of the East.cite news |http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4946730.stm | title = Thousands flee Sri Lanka strikes| work =|publisher = BBC|date = 26 April, 2006] Amnesty International quoted UN figures to say that a total of 39,883 people had been displaced in the north and east since April 7 adding that a total of 314,378 people were displaced by the conflict while around 325,000 people were estimated to have been displaced by the tsunami.cite news | url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042600335.html | title = 40,000 Flee Sri Lanka Violence| work =|publisher = Washington Post|date = 26 April, 2006] cite news |http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060426/sri_lanka_bombing_060427/20060427?hub=World&s_name= | title = At least 40,000 civilians flee Sri Lanka violence| work =|publisher = CTV|date = 27 April, 2006] cite news |http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=22334 | title = Thousands flee Sri Lanka air raids| work =|publisher = CTV|date = 29 April, 2006]

Amnesty International has also stated that increasing violence was forcing many Sri Lankans to flee the country and that more than 2,800 people had sought shelter in India this year. The state's failure to provide adequate security and to ensure that attacks against civilians are prosecuted has resulted in widespread fear and panic.cite news | url= http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/6/7542.html | title = Nowhere people - 40,000 more| work =|publisher = LankaNewspapers|date = 01 July, 2006] cite news |http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060426/sri_lanka_bombing_060427/20060427?hub=World&s_name= | title = At least 40,000 civilians flee Sri Lanka violence| work =|publisher = CTV|date = 27 April, 2006]

Amnesty international also accused the LTTE of breaking the international law by using civilians as buffers against the army. A researcher for the organisation stated that there were cases where militants had forced people to stay in rebel-held areas to hamper army operations. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7564089.stm]

Political situation in North and East

Karuna has also been accused of gross human rights violations such as forming death squads, [ [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10956 Nine recommendations for improving the state of press freedom, Reporters Without Borders] (July 19 2004)] harassing journalists, [ [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10956 Nine recommendations for improving the state of press freedom, Reporters Without Borders] (July 19 2004)] extrajudicial killings, [U.S. Department of State, [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61711.htm 2005 Human Rights Report] , March 8, 2006] abductions, [Denyer, Simon. " [http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2006/09/14/disappearances_on_rise_in_sri_lankas_dirty_war/ "Disappearances" on rise in Sri Lanka's dirty war] ". Reuters, September 14, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2007] and the use of child soldiers against the LTTE. [UNICEF, [http://www.unicef.org/srilanka/media_2514.htm Statement on Sri Lanka from the UN Special Adviser on Children and Armed Conflict] , November 13, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2007] [Citation | title =Complicit in Crime: State Collusion in Abductions and Child Recruitment by the Karuna Group | journal =Human Rights Watch | volume =19 | issue =1(C) |date=January 2007 | year =2007 | url =http://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/srilanka0107/] [Ross, James. " [http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/3512 When Ceasefire Fails] ", Foreign Policy in Focus, September 15, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2007] Apart from that his group has split due to alleged financial corruption issues. [ " [http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=28a57907-17be-425e-90fd-fd4f2313e325&&Headline=Split+in+Karuna+group+reported Split in Karuna group reported] ". Hindustan Times, May 06, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2008] Karuna, with the help of the Government of Sri Lanka, was smuggled into Great Britain for refuge. [ Balachandran, PK" [http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/03/stories/2007110358400100.htm Colonel’ Karuna arrested in London] ". The Hindu, November 03, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2008] [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7076248.stm "UK detains breakaway Tamil leader] ". BBC, November 03, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2008] He was later arrested by British authorities for illegal entry and is being probed for war crimes. [" [http://www.srilankatoday.com/index.php?view=article&catid=1:latest-news&id=117:www.island.lk&tmpl=component&print=1&page= Britain probes Karuna for alleged war crimes] ". Island, November 22, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2008]

ri Lanka pulls out of Ceasefire

On January 2, The Sri Lankan government unanimously decided to formally withdraw from the ceasefire with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, which has existed only on paper over the past two years. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake had proposed that the cabinet annul the truceafter yet another bomb blast went off in the capital, Colombo on January 2 killing five and injuring over 28.cite news | url= http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=1.0.1730419377| title='Sri Lanka: Government ends ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels'| work =|publisher = AKI - Adnkronos International | date = 2008-01-10]

"The Government of Sri Lanka yesterday (3rd January 2008) formally notified the Norwegian Government of its decision to terminate the Agreement on a “Ceasefire (CFA) between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” concluded on 22nd February 2002. This notification was in terms of Article 4:4 of this Agreement and will take effect 14 days from the date of this notice i.e. 16th January 2008.

Accordingly, the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) on the Establishment and the Management of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) dated 18th March 2002 between the Royal Norwegian Government and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will also stand terminated with effect from 16th January 2008."cite news | url= http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/peace2005/Insidepage/PressRelease/WebRel/January/WebRel040108.asp | title = Statement by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry on 4 January 2008| work =|publisher = Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) | | date = 2008-01-04]

This was amidst the demands of the defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on December 29, 2007cite news | url= http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/12/29/sec01.asp | title = Ban LTTE, end truce| work =|publisher = Daily News|date = 29 December, 2007] . The termination of the ceasefrire agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka has caused fear amongst the civilian population living in the Tamil dominated Northeast. Furthermore, donor countries such as the United Statescite news | url= http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/jan/98381.htm/ | title = Government of Sri Lanka’s Withdrawal from Ceasefire Agreement| work =|publisher = U.S. Department of State|date = 03 January, 2008] , Canadacite news | url= http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=E&publication_id=385729&docnumber=2 | title = STATEMENT ON THE POSSIBLE ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN SRI LANKA| work =|publisher = Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada|date = 03 January, 2008] , and Norwaycite news | url= http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/Press-Contacts/News/2008/Norway-regrets-the-Government-of-Sri-Lan.html?id=495581 | title = Norway regrets the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to terminate the 2002 ceasefire agreement| work =|publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs|date = 02 January, 2008] have shown deep regrets on this decision by the Sri Lankan government. Neighboring India has also shown is dismay of Sri Lanka's abrogation of the ceasefirecite news | url= http://mea.gov.in/pressbriefing/2008/01/04pb01.htm | title = In response to questions about Sri Lankan Government’s abrogation of Ceasefire Agreement of 2002, Official Spokesperson said:| work =|publisher = Ministry of External Affairs, India|date = 04 January, 2008]

ee also

* Sri Lankan Civil War
* Eelam War I
* Eelam War II
* Eelam War III
* Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV

References

External links

* [http://www.defence.lk/ Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.cyberlk.com/defencemap/ Interactive Defence Map of Sri Lanka, explains current progress of the battle fronts visually.]
* [http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/ GoSL Peace Secretariat]
* [http://www.ltteps.org/ LTTE Peace Secretariat]
* [http://www.slmm.lk/ Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission]
* [http://www.theacademic.org/ Lanka Academic, news site sponsored by Sri Lankan academics worldwide]
* [http://www.sangam.org/ Sangam.org]
* [http://www.c-r.org/our-work/accord/sri-lanka/key-texts.php Texts of key agreements in the peace process and an analysis of the process by Conciliation Resources]
* [http://www.asiafoundation.org/Locations/srilanka_publications.html Report on the Sri Lankan peace process by Asiafoundation]
* [http://www.hweb.org.uk/content/view/27/4/ hWeb - Sri Lanka’s recent history of ethnic conflict and political crisis originates from its colonial legacy]
* [http://nesohr.org/human-rights-reports/StatisticsOnCiviliansAffectedByWar.pdf?PHPSESSID=8204ff9bfa58e205f71a95c3899f8835 NorthEast Secretariat report on Human rights 1974-2004]
* [http://www.hweb.org.uk/content/view/27/4/ hWeb - Sri Lanka’s recent history of ethnic conflict originates from its colonial legacy]
* [http://www.peaceandwar-ha.blogspot.com/ Peace&War: Humanity Ashore Pictorial]