"No More Ceasefire Agreement"

(January, 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has decided to pull out of the cease-fire agreement (CFA) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The move, when implemented, would mark the official end of the nearly 5 year long agreement which has been in tatters since early 2002.

Latest move by the GOSL coincides with a roadside claymore explosion which occurred in a civilian populated area killing 5 and injuring 28.

The CFA entered into force between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Ceasefire document is signed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in February 22nd 2002.

The overall objective of the Parties is to find a negotiated solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the Country. They recognize the importance of bringing an end to the hostilities, improving the living conditions and restoring normalcy for all inhabitants of Sri Lanka, whether they are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or others.

The Ceasefire Agreement also commits the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to accept on-site monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). The Head of SLMM is the final authority on the interpretation of the Ceasefire Agreement.

During the first year the Ceasefire Agreement has been implemented in terms of military operations. The separation of forces has not been fully implemented. Freedom of movement has been implemented in general, but failure of the Parties to restore normalcy remains the reason for the majority of complaints from the population.

Agreement on a Ceasefire between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE

Preamble

The overall objective of the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (hereinafter referred to as the GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (hereinafter referred to as the LTTE) is to find a negotiated solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

The GOSL and the LTTE (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) recognize the importance of bringing an end to the hostilities and improving the living conditions for all inhabitants affected by the conflict. Bringing an end to the hostilities is also seen by the Parties as a means of establishing a positive atmosphere in which further steps towards negotiations on a lasting solution can be taken.

The Parties further recognize that groups that are not directly party to the conflict are also suffering the consequences of it. This is particularly the case as regards the Muslim population. Therefore, the provisions of this Agreement regarding the security of civilians and their property apply to all inhabitants.

With reference to the above, the Parties have agreed to enter into a ceasefire, refrain from conduct that could undermine the good intentions or violate the spirit of this Agreement and implement confidence-building measures as indicated in the articles below.

Article 1: Modalities of a ceasefire

The Parties have agreed to implement a ceasefire between their armed forces as follows:

1.1 A jointly agreed ceasefire between the GOSL and the LTTE shall enter into force on such date as is notified by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs in accordance with Article 4.2, hereinafter referred to as D-day.

Military operations

1.2 Neither Party shall engage in any offensive military operation. This requires the total cessation of all military action and includes, but is not limited to, such acts as:
a) The firing of direct and indirect weapons, armed raids, ambushes, assassinations, abductions, destruction of civilian or military property, sabotage, suicide missions and activities by deep penetration units;

b) Aerial bombardment;

c) Offensive naval operations.

1.3 The Sri Lankan armed forces shall continue to perform their legitimate task of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka without engaging in offensive operations against the LTTE.

Separation of forces

1.4 Where forward defence localities have been established, the GOSL’s armed forces and the LTTE's fighting formations shall hold their ground positions, maintaining a zone of separation of a minimum of six hundred (600) metres. However, each Party reserves the right of movement within one hundred (100) metres of its own defence localities, keeping an absolute minimum distance of four hundred (400) metres between them. Where existing positions are closer than four hundred (400) metres, no such right of movement applies and the Parties agree to ensure the maximum possible distance between their personnel.

1.5 In areas where localities have not been clearly established, the status quo as regards the areas controlled by the GOSL and the LTTE, respectively, on 24 December 2001 shall continue to apply pending such demarcation as is provided in article 1.6.

1.6 The Parties shall provide information to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) regarding defence localities in all areas of contention, cf. Article 3. The monitoring mission shall assist the Parties in drawing up demarcation lines at the latest by D-day + 30.

1.7 The Parties shall not move munitions, explosives or military equipment into the area controlled by the other Party.

1.8 Tamil paramilitary groups shall be disarmed by the GOSL by D-day + 30 at the latest. The GOSL shall offer to integrate individuals in these units under the command and disciplinary structure of the GOSL armed forces for service away from the Northern and Eastern Province.


Read Full Text of the Cease Fire Agreement