CFA at stands terminated and SLMM concludes operations

(January, 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Following notice given by the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka through the Foreign Ministry to the Royal Norwegian Government, in terms of Article 4:4 of the Agreement on a "Ceasefire between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)" concluded on 22nd February 2002, the Ceasefire Agreement stands terminated with effect from Wednesday 16th January 2008.

Pursuant to the above termination, 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 also stands terminated with effect from 16th January 2008. The SLMM concluded its operations on the evening of 16 January 2008 and most of its staff have already left the country. On a request by the Royal Norwegian Government, the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has permitted 11 SLMM personnel to remain in the island for a further period of six weeks, in order to complete the remaining administrative formalities.