Timeline of the Sri Lankan Civil War
1956
Sinhala Only Act was issued in Sri Lanka
Tamil was removed as an official spoken language of the nation
Sinhala government made it harder for tamils to have higher opportunities
Tamils wanted separate state
1958
Anti-Tamil riots leave more than 200 people dead. Thousands of Tamils displaced.
1972
LTTE Formed to represent Tamils and fight for independence from Sri Lanka
1981
Jaffna Library housed ancient Tamil literature and was burnt by oppressors. Documented history of Tamils no longer exists.
July 23rd, 1983
Beginning of the Civil War
Riots against Tamil people in Colombo
Black July
1985
Indian government infiltrates and aids Sri Lankan military.
1000 Indian soldiers killed over three year battle with LTTE
1990
Indian army retreats from Sri Lankan war
Jaffna is controlled by LTTE.
Second eelam war begins
1995
LTTE loses Jaffna to Sri Lankan army.
Third eelam war begins.
1995 to 2001
North and East Sri Lanka has become a battle ground.
May 18th, 2009
Mullivaikal
In the final stages of the civil war, Tamil civilians were promised refuge at a no fire zone located on a strip of land called Mullivaikkal, in Mullaitivu. About 300,000 Tamils were trapped on Mullivaikkal, surrounded by Sri Lankan military. The Sri Lankan president declared victory over the LTTE on May 18, 2009, after the designated No Fire Zones in Mullivaikkal were up in flames.
Prabaharan, the LTTE leader considered dead
2019
A memorial was built at Jaffna University to commemorate the lives lost during the Mullivaikkal tragedy
2021
The Sri Lankan Government breaks down the Mullivaikkal memorial in an effort to deny the events of the genocide.
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