COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, February 22, 2002: The Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tiger rebels have agreed to a permanent ceasefire as part of a Norwegian initiative to end almost two decades of civil war. Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has signed a memorandum of understanding drawn up by Norwegian negotiators which puts an indefinite truce in place. The chief negotiator of the Tamil Tigers, Anton Balasingham, said the memorandum would come into force on February 24. The agreement is expected to be very detailed, covering treatment of civilians by both sides, conditions for movement of unarmed combatants in each other’s territory and issues like fresh recruitment.
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