Lanka rebels offer truce for Saarc summit

Sri Lanka is hosting the 15th SAARC summit which also includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan. However the rebels said they would be forced to take “defensive action” if Colombo failed to respect the gesture and the military conducted operations.

“If the occupying Sinhala forces (military) disrespects our goodwill gesture of our people and our nation, (or) carry out any offensives, our movement will be forced to take defensive action,” said Balasingham Nadesan, the head of the LTTE’s political wing.

Fighting between Tigers and the military is currently centred around the north, but the rebels also carry out attacks against military, economic and civilian targets elsewhere on the island, including in and around the capital.

The LTTE have been fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils since 1972, and the conflict has left tens of thousands dead.

Sri Lanka pulled out of a Norwegian-backed truce with the LTTE in January, and says it has the upper hand in the long-running conflict.

The government was also dismissive of the truce offer.