Sri Lanka halts combat operations in North against Tamil Tigers
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 27, IRNA -- The Sri Lankan government on Monday said that the combat operations in the northern parts of the island have concluded and security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial fire.
"The Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion. Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial fire which could cause civilian casualties.
"Our security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving the civilians," said a statement from the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Office Monday.
The ceasefire call comes a day after the government rejected the rebels' call for a unilateral ceasefire.
The latest move is seen as a result of continued international and Indian pressure and comes at a time when some high profile dignitaries are scheduled to visit the island nation.
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