The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels...

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels launched their biggest offensive in their more than two-decade-old bloody campaign for a separate Tamil homeland. The LTTE's push towards Jaffna and its savage attacks on military installations forced President Chandrika Kumaratunga to virtually declare a state of emergency. Putting Sri Lanka on a war-footing, she announced tough measures to battle the Tamil rebels and placed complete censorship on the media under the Public Security Ordinance, which came into effect on May 3, 2000. Under the Ordinance, officers of the armed forces and the police are empowered to arrest suspects without warrant. The ordinance also provides for the death penalty or rigorous imprisonment for a maximum of 20 years for those who conspire to overthrow the Government.