Victory may herald end to Sri Lanka civil war

Sri Lanka's military captured Kilinochchi, the Tamil Tigers' de-facto capital, on Friday, winning a major victory in its decades-long battle to crush the ethnic separatists' dream. The seizure was celebrated by dancing in the streets of Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, as people wondered whether Asia's longest-running civil war finally would end.

Here is a brief history of the conflict:

• 1983: Civil war begins between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and government forces.

• 1991: Tigers assassinate Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, apparently for having sent peacekeeping troops to Sri Lanka.

• February 2002: Government signs a cease-fire with the Tigers.

• December 2005: Rebels launch first major attack since truce, killing at least 12 soldiers.

• June 8, 2006: Peace talks in Norway collapse.

• July 20, 2006: Tigers block a reservoir; government launches major offensive.

• Nov. 2, 2007: Head of Tigers' political wing is killed in a government air raid.

• Jan 2, 2008: Government quits an internationally brokered truce, demands rebels disarm.

• Jan. 16, 2008: Truce deal officially terminated.

• Aug. 2, 2008: Military says troops enter the district housing the rebels' de facto capital for the first time in 11 years.

• Aug. 29, 2008: Sri Lanka urges civilians living in rebel-held areas to flee to government-controlled territory.

— The Associated Press