Thangathurai and Kuttimani and a few friends gathered in Jaffna to form an informal group that the former wanted to name the Tamil Liberation Organization (TLO). A college professor’s house at Point Pedro, in Jaffna, was a regular meeting point for the group. It included among others Periya (big) Sothi, Chinna (small) Sothi, Chetti, Kannadi (a radio mechanic), Sri Sabaratnam . Later becomes the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO)

The Federal Party (ITAK)quits the government.

Educational ‘standardization’ leads to higher university entrance requirements for Tamil speakers. Many Tamil students are instantly radicalised. Most Tamil members withdraw from the Constituent Assembly after parity of status for the Tamil and Sinhala languages is rejected. In protest largely at a lack of economic opportunities for educated Sinhala youth, an armed insurrection breaks out in the south of the island, led by the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (People’s Liberation Front — JVP). The government adopts emergency powers and crushes the rebellion, killing thousands.

Rohana Wijeweera, the JVP leader, sentenced to 20 years in prison. (12 Dec. 1971)

The Tamil Youth League (TYL) is formed, strongly influenced by militant ideas and individuals. The government immediately arrests several Tamil activists, including TYL leaders. Many are held without charge for the next two years; some for longer.

Tamil Elaingyar Peravai (TYL-Tamil Youth League) in January 1973. It was founded by some 40 youths, many of whom subsequently were in the forefront militant movement. The TYL drew support from Thangathurai, the TELO leader. Satyaseelan’s arrest in February 1973 set off the second round of mass arrests in Jaffna and virtually crippled the TYL as well as the older Tamil Students League. Several young men languished in prison until 1977, although some gained amnesty on the eve of the Kankesanthurai by-election in 1975

In 1973, the Sri Lankan navy seized a boat belonging to Kuttimani (TELO )filled with dynamite. Kuttimani fled to India, but was arrested and deported from Tamil Nadu to face a Sri Lankan prison sentence. Tamil Nadu was then governed by M. Karunanithi’s DMK party.

Alfred Duraiyappa, the Tamil mayor of Jaffna and SLFP organiser, is killed. Four youths, including Veluppillai Pirabhakaran, claim responsibility for this, the first successful assassination by the militants.

In January 1975, a group of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in London formed the Eelam Revolutionary Organizers, which took the acronym EROS. Although it failed to take roots in Sri Lankan Tamils areas for a long time, it played a key role in shaping the growth of militancy Meanwhile, the EROS leadership in London struck a relationship with Syed Hameed, the PLO Representative in U.K, who later arranged training for EROS cadres, as well as LTTE cadres, in Lebanon. In May 1976.

In January 1975, several TYL members released from Colombo prisons on the eve of the Kankesanthurai by-election returned to Jaffna to heroes’ welcome

Death of ailing Chelvanayagam. Appapillai Amirthalingam becomes the leader of Federal Party.

The UNP, under J.R. Jayewardene, wins a landslide victory in general elections. The TULF, running on a secessionist platform, wins an overwhelming majority in the north, a simple majority in the east and is installed as the official parliamentary opposition. After shooting incidents in Jaffna involving police and armed militants, anti-Tamil violence breaks out in the south. Hundreds are killed and tens of thousands displaced. JR, angry at what he thought was the audacity of the “boys”, ordered the army into Jaffna, where the old market was almost totally gutted in a fire the Tamils blamed on the security forces.

The 1977 anti-Tamil riots had begun.

A presidential commission is appointed to report on decentralizing the state administration through District Development Councils (DDCs). The TULF participates fully in the commission. As militant action continues around Jaffna, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is passed, temporarily suspending important safeguards against human rights violations. Mass arrests of Tamil youth ensue, along with a spate of extra-judicial killings and ‘disappearances’.

In 1979-1980, EROS and its student wing GUES split and the EPRLF was formed. The EPRLF started as a leftist group with a strong Marxist element its leader, K. Padmanabha, who had been trained in 1976 in Lebanon by the PLO and had a political as well as a military mind. Other important leaders of the EPRLF who emerged during its inception were Varadarajah Perumal ( who later became the Chief Minister of (North-EasternProvinces) DouglasDevand (EPDPLeader) Sureash Premachandran  and Ketheeswaran.

During campaigning for the DDC elections in Jaffna, Tamil militants kill a UNP candidate and two police officers. The police go on the rampage, killing several people and destroying many buildings including the Jaffna public library, a key depository of Tamil history and culture. The TULF does well in the DDC elections but the militants emphasise their confidence and independence, executing multi-million rupee bank robber. In one of their major acts, on March. 25, 1981, the TELO committed robbery by ambushing a “Peoples Bank” van which was returning to Jaffna town with the day’s collection. An amount of Rs. 78 lakh rupees was taken and several policemen killed in this hit were masterminded by Kuttimani.

On April 5, 1981,TELO Leaders Kuttimani, Thangadurai and Sellathurai Sivasubramaniam alias Thevan were arrested at Mannalkadal, near Point Pedro, while trying to escape in a boat to India.

The LTTE call for a boycott of local elections, disrupt TULF meetings and kill three UNP candidates. Ninety per cent of northern residents stay away from the polls. Anti-Tamil violence, building nationwide for some months, plumbs unprecedented depths after 13 soldiers are killed in Jaffna in a LTTE ambush. Concentrated in Colombo, with the collusion and sometimes blatant involvement of the security forces (and some government ministers), the violence destroys thousands of Tamil homes and businesses, hundreds of Tamils are massacred, and around 200,000 displaced. The government fails to condemn the riots and pushes through a constitutional amendment outlawing secessionism. All TULF MPs forfeit their seats and recruitment to armed groups proliferates wildly. The three important TELO leaders Thangadurai, Kuttimani and Jegan were killed in a prison massacre in Wellikade in 1983 while they were incarcerated there. After their deaths Sri Sabaratnam took over leadership of TELO

The new district of Kilinochchi constituted. (11 Aug. 1983)

TELO,EROS,EPRLF and LTTE also joined the Elam National Liberation Front (ENLF). (April 1985)

The Anuradhapura massacre, the first attack on Sinhalese civilians by Tamil militants. About 250 men, women and children are gunned down at the central bus stand at the Anuradhapura town. (May 1985). After talks between the Indian and Sri Lankan governments, militant leaders are summoned to Delhi and a ceasefire is announced. Under intense pressure from Indian mediators, the Sri Lankan government and a joint delegation of the TELO, LTTE, PLOTE, EPRLF, EROS the five main militant groups and TULF  sit down together at Thimpu, Bhutan. The Tamil parties put forward ‘five cardinal principles’ which must provide the basis for any meaningful solution. The government rejects these principles, the ceasefire breaks down and the talks collapse. Indian officials continue discussions with all parties and agree devolution proposals with the Sri Lankan government. Simmering tensions between Tamil militants and eastern Muslims ignite into violence after Muslim villagers are killed following accusations of collusion with the security forces.

Two former TULF MPs, V Dharmalingam and A Alalasundaram murdered (2 September 1985)

Terrorists massacre 128 civilians and injure more than 60 near Kitulottuwa along the Habarana-Trincomalee road (17 April 1987)

A bomb explosion kills 113 persons and injures more than 300 in Pettah, Colombo (21 April 1987)

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launches a massive campaign(operation Vadamarachchi) in the north and extends its blockade to include food, fuels and medicine. After a shipload of supplies sent to Jaffna is turned back, the Indian government parachutes food and medicines into the city. Intense diplomatic activity ensues and the two governments sign the Indo-Lanka Accord, agreeing detailed proposals for provincial councils and expediting the immediate deployment of an Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to enforce a ceasefire. Under pressure from the Indian government, all Tamil militant groups accede to the accord but the LTTE soon renounce the agreement and attack the peace-keepers. Meanwhile, in protest at government ‘capitulation’ to Indian ‘expansionism’, a resurrected JVP ignites a second armed insurgency in the south.

The signing of Indo-Lanka peace accord (27 July 1987)

Arrival of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) (late July 30th – early August 1987) (30 July 1987)

The 13th amendment to the constitution debated in Parliament. This amendment among other things made provisions for the establishment of a system of Provincial Councils. Amendment was certified on 14th November 1987. (14 November 1987)

With IPKF support, the NEPC begins forcible recruitment to a new Tamil National Army (TNA). NEPC powers remain unclear and, starved of resources; Perumal accuses the central government of obstructing devolution. In parliamentary elections, the LTTE gain a symbolic victory as an EPRLF-ENDLF alliance is trounced in the north and east by anti-accord independents. As the JVP is ruthlessly crushed by government forces, the LTTE is held responsible for the killings of Jaffna University lecturer Rajini Thiranagama, TULF leaders A. Amirthalingam and V. Yogeswaran (13 July 1989)and EPRLF MP Sam Thambimuttu. Having armed the Tigers to fight the IPKF, President Premadasa implements a range of confidence-building measures, begins peace talks with the LTTE in the Colombo Hilton Hotel, agrees a ceasefire and promises the Tigers de facto control of the north and east until provincial elections can be held. As the IPKF begins its departure, the LTTE attacks the TNA and other armed Tamil groups, seizing control of vacated areas.

IPKF withdrawal completed (24 March 1991)

The army fails to dislodge the LTTE from Jaffna and an embargo is re-imposed, banning the passage of medicines, fuel and fertilizers to the province. As the war persists with characteristic brutality, at least 67 villagers are massacred by security forces in Kokkadicholai district. The LTTE assassinate Defense Minister Ranjan Wijeratna and ex-Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. President Premadasa convenes an all-party parliamentary select committee, under the SLFP’s Mangala Moonesinghe, to seek a constitutional model which might help end hostilities.

The parliamentary select committee approves proposals for separate provincial councils in the north and east, which would break up the traditional ‘Tamil homeland’ implicitly recognized under the Indo-Lanka Accord. All Tamil groups withdraw from the committee. Prominent LTTE leader Kittu dies after his ship blows up under attack from the Indian navy. Former interior minister Lalith Athulathmudali is assassinated in Colombo. President Premadasa is also killed by a suicide bomber.

As tens of thousands of troops are stationed in Jaffna to protect military gains and re-establish government structures, hundreds of Tamil civilians ‘disappear’ in detention. Nevertheless, a large majority of displaced residents returns to the peninsula, removing itself from the direct authority of the LTTE for the first time since 1990. Maintaining its control of large areas of the north and east, the LTTE fights back, killing over 1,200 soldiers at the Mullaitivu army camp, and exploding bombs in Colombo that destroy the Central Bank, kill over 150 civilians and wound over 1,500. The government places its devolution proposals before the parliamentary select committee, suitably amended to satisfy southern opposition.

A suicide bomb explosion by the LTTE at the Central Bank in Colombo kills more than 100 civilians and wounds 1,300 others. (31 January 1996)

Two bombs explode in a Colombo commuter train killing more than 60 people (14 July 1996)

Nearly 1,400 soldiers killed in an LTTE attack on the Mulativu military camp (18 July 1996)

India bans the LTTE (1 August1996)

The armed forces launch a major offensive to recapture the main supply route linking Jaffna to the rest of the island. Estimated military casualties on both sides reach an all-time high. Local elections in the south are marred by violence, including the killing by a UNP MP of Nalanda Ellawala, a rising star in the PA administration. Although government initiatives to promote its proposed settlement meet with some sympathy among southern populations, they have yet to make a significant impact in the north and east. As the parliamentary select committee on constitutional reform fails to reach consensus, the government presents a draft constitution that dilutes some of its earlier proposals. The impasse persists, however, while the LTTE hardens its position against negotiations. The United States bans the LTTE and pressure grows for the UK to close the Tigers’ international headquarters in London.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga is wounded in a suicide assassination bid blamed on Tigers. Twenty-seven others killed.

Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, a constitutional lawyer, a human rights advocate and a parliamentary member of   TULF (a moderate Tamil party) is assassinated by a LTTE suicide bomber in Colombo (29 July 1999)

 LTTE banned in Britain.(28-02-2001)

Tiger rebels attack main air base and the only international airport in Sri Lanka, destroying 13 aircraft as well as a number of air force fighter jets leaving at least 12 people dead.(24-7-2001)

United National Front wins parliamentary elections. (5-12-2001)

Sri Lanka plunged into crisis as its president suspends parliament, sacks three ministers and brings the army on to the streets of the capital, Colombo.(4-11-2003)

Political turmoil prompts Norwegian mediators to pull out of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.(14-11-2003)

The government of Sri Lanka and LTTE sign Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-Toms) by which the two entities agreed to work together to offer relief to the communities devastated by the Asian Tsunami. Lakshman Kadirgamar, Sri Lankan foreign minister, is assassinated by the LTTE.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, prime minister at the time, wins presidential elections. Most Tamils in areas controlled by the Tamil Tigers do not vote .The poll is boycotted by LTTE. (November-2005)

After weeks of heavy fighting, the Sri Lankan army takes back the LTTE-held town of Vakarai. LTTE air force attacks various Sri Lankan targets including Colombo airport. SP Thamilselvan, leader of the LTTE’s political wing, is killed in an air raid.

Citing security concerns, hundreds of Tamils are forced out of Colombo by police (June – 2007)

Government troops capture the northern town of Kilinochchi, held for ten years by the Tamil Tigers as their administrative headquarters. President Mahinda Rajapakse calls it an unparalleled victory and urges the rebels to surrender.(January-2009)

International concern over the humanitarian situation of thousands of civilians trapped in the battle zone prompts calls for a temporary cease-fire. This is rejected by the government, which says it is on the verge of destroying the Tamil Tigers, but it offers an amnesty to rebels if they surrender.(February-2009)

Former rebel leader Karuna is sworn in as minister of national integration and reconciliation. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay accuses both sides of war crimes.(March-2009)

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.(May-2009)

New Tamil Tiger leader Selvarasa Pathmanathan(KP) captured overseas by Sri Lankan authorities.(August-2009)

First post-war local elections in north. Governing coalition(PA & EPDP) wins in Jaffna but in Vavuniya voters back TNA(TELO,ITAK and EPRLF) candidates who supported Tamil Tigers.

Government announces early presidential and parliamentary elections.(October-2009)

UN says both sides in the Sri Lankan civil war committed atrocities against civilians and calls for an international investigation into possible war crimes. Sri Lanka says the report is biased.(April – 2011)

Sri Lanka’s largest ethnic Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TELO,ITAK,TULF,EPRLF and PLOTE) – wins two-thirds of local councils in the former war zone in the north and east.(July-2011)

President Rajapaksa says his government will allow the expiry of state emergency laws which have been in place for most of the past 40 years. However, critics say that the introduction of new legislation that allows the detention of people suspected of terror offences without charge continues the state of emergency in a new guise.(August -2011)