Sri Lanka's Tamil
rebels issued a unilateral ceasefire declaration early Tuesday for a 10-day
period beginning Friday.
A statement from the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) said that the ceasefire "as a sign of goodwill" would
extend through August 4 in recognition of the upcoming conference of the South
Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The meeting brings together Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, dpa reported.
"Our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral
ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC
conference ... and give our cooperation for the success of the
conference."