NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said in a statement that they were reciprocating the truce announced on Wednesday by the LTTE.
The ceasefire will go into effect from Christmas eve, the statement said. It added that the government was also lifting an economic embargo on areas held by the rebels in the island's north.
"As part of its initiative to bring about an atmosphere conducive to invigorating the peace process, the government will take immediate steps to improve living conditions for civilians in the 'uncleared' areas," the statement said.
'Uncleared' areas mean the territory held by the LTTE in the island's north and parts of the east.
Wickremesinghe's office in its brief three-paragraph statement said government forces would also be ordered to observe a 'cessation of hostilities' from midnight on Monday.
The prime minister's office said the truce declared by the Tigers was a 'goodwill measure'.
PTI
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
