Tuesday, July 22, 2008

LTTE declares unilateral ceasefire -Government rejects the offer



The LTTE Political Wing announced it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from 26th July to 4th August, but the government of Sri Lanka rejects rebels offer and said no discussions with any party on this matter.

Responding an oral question rose by Parliamentarian Mr.Wimal Weerawansa, in parliament today Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the government does not response this offer. He said a number of local and international allies try to stop operations against the rebels.

�At present government is defeating the terrorists .We never stop these operations, he said.

A rebel statement said the Tigers would refrain from military action during the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference but warned they would be forced to take \"defensive action\" if the island\'s military carried out any offensives against them.

The government sources further said it had not received an official ceasefire notification from the rebels and expressed wariness about the move.

Meanwhile the head of the government peace secretariat, Rajiva Wijesinghe, said the government needs time to carefully consider the LTTE call for a ceasefire during the SAARC summit and will wait till it is officially communicated.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080722013647.php

Full text of the press release of the LTTE,
http://www.ltteps.org/?view=2218&folder=2

Video Source,
http://www.itn.lk/news_04_20080722.html

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