The peace agreement of Sri Lanka in 2002 was a significant step towards ending the 26-year-long civil war between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The agreement was signed on February 22, 2002, by the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the leader of LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran. The agreement aimed to create a federal structure that granted a degree of autonomy to Tamil regions in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
The peace agreement consisted of several key provisions, including a cessation of hostilities, the decommissioning of weapons, and the creation of an interim administration to oversee the implementation of the agreement. It also included provisions for the resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons and the release of prisoners.
One of the key achievements of the peace agreement was the establishment of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), consisting of representatives from Nordic countries, to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
However, the peace agreement soon faced challenges, with accusations of violations from both sides. Violent incidents, including bombings and assassinations, continued, and the LTTE was accused of using the ceasefire to regroup and rearm.
Ultimately, the peace agreement collapsed in 2008, and the civil war resumed until the Sri Lankan government declared victory over LTTE in 2009.
While the peace agreement of 2002 did not bring an end to the civil war, it remains a significant moment in Sri Lanka`s history. The agreement demonstrated a willingness to negotiate and find a peaceful solution to the conflict and laid the groundwork for future peace negotiations.
In conclusion, the peace agreement of Sri Lanka in 2002 was a crucial milestone in Sri Lanka`s history as it aimed to end a decades-long civil war. Although the agreement faced several challenges and ultimately collapsed, it signaled a willingness to negotiate and find a peaceful solution to the conflict.