-
Beginning of Tension
Sinhalese Marxist uprising led by students and activists. -
Man in charge antagionising Tamil
Ceylon changes its name to Sri Lanka and Buddhism given primary place as country's religion, further antagonising Tamil minority. -
LTTE Forms
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formed as tensions increase in Tamil-dominated areas of north and east. -
TULF Resistance
Separatist Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) party wins all seats in Tamil areas. Anti-Tamil riots leave more than 100 Tamils dead. -
Burning of Jaffna Library
Sinhala policemen accused of burning the Jaffna Public Library, causing further resentment in Tamil community. -
LTTE Kills 13
13 soldiers killed in LTTE ambush, sparking anti-Tamil riots leading to the deaths of several hundred Tamils. Start of what Tigers call "First Eelam War". -
Peace Talks Fail
First attempt at peace talks between government and LTTE fails -
Period: to
Civil War
-
LTTE Pushed Back into Jaffna
Government forces push LTTE back into northern city of Jaffna. Government signs accords creating new councils for Tamil areas in north and east and reaches agreement with India on deployment of Indian peace-keeping force. -
Muslims Expelled
Thousands of Muslims are expelled from northern areas by the LTTE. -
LTTE Assassination
LTTE implicated in assassination of Indian premier Rajiv Gandhi in southern India. -
LTTE Kills again
President Premadasa killed in LTTE bomb attack -
Peace Talks
President Kumaratunga comes to power pledging to end war. Peace talks opened with LTTE. -
War
"Third Eelam War" begins when rebels sink naval craft. -
Cease Fire Treaty
Government and Tamil Tiger rebels sign a Norwegian-mediated ceasefire. -
Attacks Begin to start back up
-
Peace Talks Fail again
-
Tamil Tigers Defeated
Government declares Tamil Tigers defeated after army forces overrun last patch of rebel-held territory in the northeast. Military says rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed in the fighting. Tamil Tiger statement says the group will lay down its arms.