This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7871258.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Sri Lanka rejects dialogue appeal Sri Lanka rejects dialogue appeal
(about 3 hours later)
The Sri Lankan government has rejected a call by international donors to the Tamil Tiger rebels to negotiate terms of surrender with the government. The Sri Lankan government has rejected a call by international donors for Tamil Tiger rebels to negotiate terms of surrender with the government.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told the BBC that the government would only accept an "unconditional surrender" by the rebels. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the BBC that the government would accept only "unconditional surrender".
The donors - the US, Japan, Norway and the European Union - have also called on the Tigers to lay down their arms. The US-led donors have urged the Tigers to consider laying down their arms to avoid further bloodshed after a series of major defeats on the battlefield.
The government has ruled out a ceasefire and vowed to crush them. Fears are rising for tens of thousands of civilians trapped by the fighting.
See map of the region See map of the region
Mr Rajapaksa told the BBC: "There is no question of negotiations on surrender. The rebels should surrender unconditionally. They should lay down their arms first."Mr Rajapaksa told the BBC: "There is no question of negotiations on surrender. The rebels should surrender unconditionally. They should lay down their arms first."
He ruled out any amnesty for top rebel leaders, but said that "lower level cadres" would be "given amnesty, retrained, given vocational training and integrated into mainstream society".He ruled out any amnesty for top rebel leaders, but said that "lower level cadres" would be "given amnesty, retrained, given vocational training and integrated into mainstream society".
INSURGENCY TIMELINE 1976: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam form in the north-east1987: India deploys peace-keepers to Tamil areas but they leave in 19901993: President Premadasa killed by Tiger bomb2001: Attack on airport destroys half Sri Lankan Airlines fleet2002: Government and rebels agree ceasefire2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes president2006: Heavy fighting resumes2009: Army takes main rebel bases of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu In pictures: Inside 'Tiger bunker'Sri Lanka journalists 'risk death'Voices from Sri LankaINSURGENCY TIMELINE 1976: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam form in the north-east1987: India deploys peace-keepers to Tamil areas but they leave in 19901993: President Premadasa killed by Tiger bomb2001: Attack on airport destroys half Sri Lankan Airlines fleet2002: Government and rebels agree ceasefire2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes president2006: Heavy fighting resumes2009: Army takes main rebel bases of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu In pictures: Inside 'Tiger bunker'Sri Lanka journalists 'risk death'Voices from Sri Lanka
Mr Rajapakse also rejected a ceasefire call by the US, UK and Canada, saying that the rebels had used ceasefire time "only to regroup and attack security forces". Mr Rajapakse also rejected US-led calls for a ceasefire, saying that the rebels had used ceasefire time "only to regroup and attack security forces".
"When the government declared a 48-hour ceasefire period last week, the rebels used the period to launch suicide attacks near the frontlines using three trucks loaded with explosives," he said."When the government declared a 48-hour ceasefire period last week, the rebels used the period to launch suicide attacks near the frontlines using three trucks loaded with explosives," he said.
The government and rebels have come under pressure to declare a ceasefire. There has been no word yet from the rebels, who are boxed in by troops in a shrinking piece of territory in the north-east.
This will allow casualties to be evacuated from the war zone in the north-east. Up to 250,000 civilians may be trapped. Pro-rebel websites have been critical of the suggestion the Tigers consider laying down their weapons.
Both sides have been urged to declare a ceasefire to allow casualties to be evacuated from the war zone in the north-east. Up to 250,000 civilians may be trapped.
The Tigers have said they will not lay down their arms until they have a "guarantee of living with freedom and dignity and sovereignty".The Tigers have said they will not lay down their arms until they have a "guarantee of living with freedom and dignity and sovereignty".
Meanwhile, heavy fighting between the government forces and soldiers is continuing in the north-east of the country, says the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo.Meanwhile, heavy fighting between the government forces and soldiers is continuing in the north-east of the country, says the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo.
A military spokesman said the army has beaten back counter attacks by the rebels in the Mullaitivu area. A military spokesman said the army had beaten back counter attacks by the rebels in the Mullaitivu area.
There is no independent confirmation of the claim as independent journalists are not able to reach the front lines.
On Wednesday, the United Nations said that 52 civilians had been killed in 24 hours of fighting.On Wednesday, the United Nations said that 52 civilians had been killed in 24 hours of fighting.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the rebels' defeat is imminent.President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the rebels' defeat is imminent.
MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return