On Friday, February 22 (3 Esfand 1380), Sri Lankan and Norwegian officials officially announced a ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels, setting a date for the first direct peace negotiations. The last direct negotiations between the two sides took place seven years ago. This agreement will come into effect at the first hour of February 23 local time. According to this agreement, mediated by the Norwegian government, observers from Scandinavian countries will monitor the peace process. Additionally, each party is required to give a two-week notice before canceling this agreement. Over two years ago, the Norwegian government began its efforts to resume peace negotiations between the two parties. The Tamil rebels have been fighting for independence since 1983, claiming to end the dominance of the Sinhalese majority over the central government. More than 65,000 people have been killed in this conflict.
Ceasefire Between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Rebels Officially Announced - 2002-02-23
A ceasefire agreement has been officially announced between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels, facilitated by Norway, with the first direct peace talks scheduled. This marks a significant development after seven years of no negotiations and aims to address a long-standing conflict that has resulted in over 65,000 deaths.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A ceasefire agreement was announced between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels, marking the first direct peace negotiations in seven years. The ceasefire will take effect immediately, with Norwegian mediation and monitoring involved.
- The ceasefire agreement comes after over two decades of conflict resulting in more than 65,000 deaths.
- The agreement requires a two-week notice for either party to cancel the ceasefire.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Sri Lankan civil war has been ongoing since 1983, primarily between the government and the LTTE, who seek an independent Tamil Eelam. The conflict has deep ethnic roots and has led to significant loss of life and displacement.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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