Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities

• Country/entity

  Sri Lanka
  
• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  
• Agreement name

  Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities
• Date

  5 Jan 1995
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Sri Lankan Civil War (1983 - 2009) )
• Stage

  Ceasefire/related
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Sri Lanka Kumaratunga/Devolution Processes
• Parties

  Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, signed for by V. Pirabharan, Leader;
  Government of Sri Lanka, signed for by Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
• Third parties

  -
• Description

  Agreement provides provisions for a ceasefire and the modalities for its implementation.

• Agreement document

  LK_950105_Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities

5 January 1995

Text of Declaration

The modalities for the implementation of the agreed Cessation of Hostilities by the Government and LTTE for a specific period will be as follows:-

1. There will be no offensive operations by either party during this period.

An offensive operation will be considered a violation of the agreement.

2. The Security Forces and the LTTE will maintain their present positions on the ground, keeping a minimum of 600 metres between each other.

However, each party would reserve the right of movement within 100 metres from their own bunker lines, keeping a minimum of 400 metres in between.

Any party moving in the restricted areas would be considered an offensive operation.

3. The Navy and Airforce will continue to perform their legitimate talks for safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, from external aggression, without in any way engaging in offensive operations against the LTTE, or causing any obstructions to legitimate and bona fide fishing activity in specified areas.

4. Acts such as sabotage, bomb explosions, abductions, assassinations and intimidation directed at any political group, party or any individual will amount to an offensive operation.

5. -

a. It is suggested that Committees to deal with violations of this agreement be set up to inquire into nay instances of violation of the above terms of agreement.

These Committees could be set up in the areas of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa-Ampara and any other areas as deemed necessary.

b. It will be the responsibility of these Committees to take immediate action on complaints made by either party to this agreement to inquire into and resolve such disputes.

c. These Committees could comprise representatives drawn from Canada, Netherlands, Norway, ICRC and from retired Judges or Public Officers, Religious Heads and other leading citizens:

all appointed by mutual agreement.

d. Each Committee could consist of five members, viz:

02 from Government;

02 from LTTE and, 01 from a Foreign Country who will be Chairman.

e. Freedom of movement for the Committees to perform their tasks will have to be ensured by both parties to the agreement.

f. Facilities required for the Committees to act swiftly and impartially will have to provided by mutual agreement. (

sic)

6. Recommend establishment of communication between Sri Lanka and LTTE military area leaders which will enable them to sort out problems expeditiously, locally.

7. Cessation of hostilities will continue till notice of termination is given by either party.

Such notice should be given at least 72 hours before termination.

Signed on 5 January 1995

V. Pirabharan, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga,

Leader, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam President of Sri Lanka and

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.