Britain announces a freeze on aid to Sri Lanka of about US$3 million that it had earlier pledged to help Sri Lanka pay its debts to the World Bank, citing concerns over deteriorating human rights.
Timeline of events under "Donors" issue
The Government warns foreign diplomats not to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs or risk expulsion. Britain's High Commissioner was questioned by officials following his visit to the editor of the Daily Mirror, who had alleged that Gotabhaya Rajapakse had threatened her.
Sri Lankan Development Forum: key donors review international aid and maintain that a power-sharing deal with the LTTE is crucial for further assistance.
Government signs the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (PTOMS) agreement with LTTE for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the tsunami-affected areas in the Northern and Eastern provinces. LTTE to share US$3 billion in aid. The JVP party pulls out of coalition in protest; vows to legally challenge the agreement.
Almost 40,000 people are killed and 2.5 million displaced when a tsunami devastates coastal communities in the North, East and South of the island. The Government declares a national disaster.
Representatives from 51 countries and 22 organisations participate at the Tokyo Donor Conference. The conference is chaired by Japan, Norway, the US and the EU. US$4.5 billion is pledged by the international community for the reconstruction and development of Sri Lanka.
The LTTE boycotts the Tokyo Donor Conference after the Government rejected its demand for the establishment of an interim administration.
The LTTE unilaterally calls off talks between it and the Sri Lanka government, declaring that unless its core demands are met, it will not participate in the donors' conference scheduled to be held in Tokyo in June.
Washington hosts a prelude to the Tokyo Donors Conference bringing together international representatives for discussions on how international assistance can reinforce and strengthen the peace process. US blocks LTTE participation as it is a banned group.
Government representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe, following a meeting in Oslo, express strong support for the peace process and commit to providing financial assistance.
