The local scenario:

The New Year 2010 is at its infancy; barely three days old! We do not know what the future holds, but there's so much to look forward to, for us, Sri Lankans, because we step into the New Year, with pride and joy in our hearts as a nation that has defeated terrorism. Amidst the terror and turmoil that plagued the world in 2009, we were fortunate to emerge victorious at least in our battle against terrorism. The past year was indeed a decisive one for our country.

The month of January, the start of the calendar year is aptly named after Janus, with the ability to look backward and forward. One certainly, needs to reflect on the past events to assess one's achievements and failures. And what better-time than the start of the year to do so. Let's flashback into 2009 and trace the events that led up to the glorious victory against the LTTE, in our country and other important events which took place both here and abroad.

January 1 - The Paranthan LTTE garrison was captured by Task Force 1 of the Security Forces of the Sri Lankan Army.

January 2 - The Army entered Kilinochchi, the "political capital" of the rebel Tamil Tigers in the north. President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered the rebel Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and surrender.

January 3 - Captain of the Sri Lanka National Cricket team, Mahela Jayawardene played his 100th Test Match vs Bangladesh.

January 5 - The army seised the southern parts of Elephant Pass, a very thin strip of land connecting the island of Sri Lanka to Jaffna, killing many LTTE cadres.

January 8 - The Sri Lankan Army recaptured the village of Pallai from the Tamil Tigers in an effort to reach the Jaffna Peninsula.

* Lasantha Wickrematunge veteran, Sri Lankan journalist was shot dead.

January 9 - The Army took full control of Elephant Pass. Tamil Tigers, took control of the Elephant Pass in 2000, cutting off supplies to the rest of Sri Lanka.

January 12 - Ajantha Mendis recorded the fastest 50 wickets, in ODIs, in his 19th match dismissing Ray Price (Zimbabwe).

January 21 - Mahela Jayawardene broke the record of catches by a non wicket keeper, in ODIs, (vs. Pakistan) with 157, when he caught Salman Butt.

January 24 - Muttiah Muralitharan got his 500th ODI wicket (vs Pakistan).

January 25 - The army seized the port of Mullaitivu, the last town held by the separatist Tamil Tigers in the extreme north of the island.

January 28 - Sanath Jayasuriya reached 13,000 runs in ODI (vs India).

February 3 - The Department of Defence announced the capture of a bunker of Tamil Tiger leader, hidden in a coconut plantation in Mullaitivu.

* To mark the 61st anniversary of independence, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, promised a total military victory against the LTTE.

* Mahela Jayawardene reached 8,000 ODI runs (vs India).

February 4 - Sri Lankan Independence Day celebrations held on a grand scale.

February 5 - Muttiah Muralitharan broke the world record of 503 wickets taken in ODIs, when he dismissed Gautam Gambhir.

February 6 - The LTTE are cornered in an area of 200 km jungle which is concentrated around Tamil civilians.

February 8 - According to the Department of Defence, at least 10000 Tamil civilians fled from the area in north-east. They came in large part to Kilinochchi and some others Jaffna. Among them, were "nearly 2,800 children and 3,000 women survivors Medical."

February 20 - Two LTTE light aircraft killed two people and injured 44 after dropping a bomb on the main building of the Inland Revenue Department.

February 21 - Mahela Jayawardene reached 8,000 runs in Test (vs Pakistan).

February 22 - Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera broke the record for the fourth wicketstand in Test, with 437 runs vs Pakistan.

March 3 - Gunmen attack a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan, killing six policemen and two civilians, injuring six team members, and critically injuring reserve umpire Ahsan Raza.

March 10 - LTTE suicide bomb blast during Prophet Muhammed's birthday celebrations in Jumma Mosque in Akuressa.

March 12 - Puthukudiyiruppu Hospital captured by the Security Forces.

March 15 - Security Forces enter Irunapalai area.

March 19 - Government commenced reconstruction of the Northern railway line from Vavuniya to Kankesanthurai.

March 22 - Security Forces captured LTTE's last operational centre, Iranapalai.

March 27 - The SAARC Higher Education Ministers' Conference was held in Colombo.

April 4 - Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya was held at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, conducted by the Agrarian Service Department.

April 5 - Veteran film producer Lester James Peries celebrated his 90th birthday.

* The driver of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team coach in Lahore, (who drove them to safety when it came under terrorist attack) arrived in Sri Lanka and was felicitated.

April 16 - President made a historic visit to Kilinochchi - the first ever by a Head of State after a lapse of six decades.

April 20 - The Army destroyed the LTTE earth bund and entered Puthumathalan. Over 35,000 civiliance crossed over to Government controlled area.

April 22 - Former LTTE media spokesman, Daya Master and Late Thamil Chelvam's interpreter, George Master surrendered to troops in Puthumathalan.

April 25 - Western Provincial Council Elections

May 11 - Death of Shanthi Lekha, 79, Sri Lankan actress.

May 18 - The Sri Lankan Military defeated the LTTE, ending almost 26 years of fighting.

* Death of Balasingham Nadesan, Sri Lankan rebel, political chief of LTTE by missile attack.

* Death of Velupillai Prabhakaran, Sri Lankan rebel, leader of the LTTE, Thillaiyampalam Sivanesan rebel, leader of LTTE Naval Wing (Sea Tigers) and Shanmugalingam Sivashankar rebel, leader of the LTTE Intelligence Wing.

June 3 - The nation celebrated the victory over terrorism with a grand National Victory Parade held at Galle Face Green on a grand scale.

June 6 - Yal Devi train commenced operations from Vavuniya to Thandikulam after the war.

June 16 - First Swine Flu case reported in Sri Lanka.

June 18 - Restored Jetawana Stupa in Anuradhapura conserved by the Central Cultural Fund, was unveiled to public.

June 29 - Government commenced the second and third phases of the Norochcholai Coal power project.

July 10 - The fourth SAARC Ministerial Conference on Children was held at Hilton, Colombo.

July 11 - The newly constructed Veheragala tank was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

July 20 - President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched 'Nenasa' a state-of-the-art Digital satellite Television based Distance Education.

July 21 - The Security Forces opened Vavuniya - Horowpathana A29 road after the war.

* Colombo-Jaffna bus service along the A-9 road commenced.

July 24 - Kumar Sangakkara reached 7,000 runs in Tests, vs Pakistan.

July 26 - Newly constructed Katugastota bridge was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

July 28 - The Sigiriya Museum was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

August 1 - Mahela Jayawardene played his 300th ODI Match.

August 6 - The historic Kandy Esala Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa concluded on August 5, with the final Randoli Perahera.

September 6 - President Mahinda Rajapaksa was conferred with the honorary degree, Doctor of laws, at the Post Graduate Convocation Ceremony of the Colombo University.

September 6 - Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of letters.

September 14 - The University of Moratuwa was placed as the best University worldwide at the Google Summer of Code 2008 (GSoC 2008) competition.

September 15 - Kokila Pavan Jayasuriya won the best child actor award at the 10th China International Childrens' Film Festival.

September 21 - Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wicramanayaka led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

September 22 - New Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya was opened after the war.

September 25 -Sri Lanka Air Force won the National Productivity Award for 2008.

October 2 - A Silver Souvenir Coin was issued to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army, by the Central Bank.

October 3 - Sri Lanka Army Exhibition to mark its 60th anniversary started at the BMICH with President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially declaring open the Exhibition.

October 12 - The National Wap Magul festival was held at Kandalama, in Dambulla under the patronage of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

October 15 The 8th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting began at the BMICH, in Colombo on October 14-15 the Sri Lankan President participated as chief guest.

October 19 - President Rajapaksa inaugurated the Construction of the first Adhisthana Chetiya in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.

October 20 - Sri Lanka's longest bridge, Kinniya bridge was declared open by President Rajapaksa.

October 21 - The Dehiwala flyover was declared open by President Rajapaksa.

November 11 - Well-known dramatist, journalist and livewire of the local arts and drama circle, Henry Jayasena passed away.

November 14 - Veteran actress Malani Fonseka clinched the Best Actress award for her role in Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) at the Levante International Film Festival held in Italy.

November 17 - The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a commemorative note in the denomination of 1000 rupees to mark the ushering of peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka six months ago.

November 18 - President Mahinda Rajapaksa marked his 64th birthday and the fourth anniversary as the Executive President.

November 27 - President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated the construction work of the second International Airport at Mattala in the deep South of Sri Lanka, close to the fast developing coastal town of Hambantota.

December 15 The International Olympic Committee confirmed that the Sri Lankan sprinter, Susanthika Jayasinghe will be awarded the silver medal for her feat at the Olympics .

December 16 Cyclonic weather conditions caused floods in the North and East with over 50;000 families affected by it

December 17 Presidental nominations took place at the Election Secretariat at Rajagiriya with 22 candidates, the largest ever in a Presidential race, handing over their nominations to the Election Commissioner, Dayananda Dissanayaka..

* Our Sister paper Dinamina marked its Centuary anniversery.

-Rohana Jayalal