In a significant decision, the LTTE on Thursday announced a month-long unilateral cease-fire from Sunday, terming it as a gesture of goodwill aimed at kick-starting Norwegian-backed peace talks to resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic problem. Velupillai Prabhakaran has issued orders to all units and combat formations of the LTTE to cease hostile military actions against the Sri Lankan armed forces from midnight 24th December 2000 to midnight 24th January 2001, Said a statement issued from the rebel's London-based headquarters.
The statement quotes Prabhakaran as saying that he hoped the Colombo government would reciprocate positively and instruct its armed forces to observe peace during the festive season of Christmas, new year and Pongal. The LTTE also expressed its willingness to extend the period of peace if the Sri Lankan government responded positively by ceasing armed hostilities against our forces and takes steps to implement the Norwegian proposal of mutual confidence-building measures.
The announcement comes after the government rejected the rebel demand for de-escalation of fighting before peace negotiations could resume. Bureau Report