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/8019199.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Sri Lanka rebels call ceasefire Sri Lanka rebels call ceasefire
(10 minutes later)
Tamil Tiger rebels fighting government forces in north-east Sri Lanka have declared a unilateral ceasefire.Tamil Tiger rebels fighting government forces in north-east Sri Lanka have declared a unilateral ceasefire.
A Tamil Tiger spokesman told the BBC the move was due to what he called an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis".A Tamil Tiger spokesman told the BBC the move was due to what he called an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis".
Sri Lanka's defence secretary however dismissed the announcement as "a joke", insisting the rebels must surrender.Sri Lanka's defence secretary however dismissed the announcement as "a joke", insisting the rebels must surrender.
The rebels have been beaten back to a 12 sq km (5 sq m) area. The UN says more than 160,000 civilians have fled from there, but 50,000 remain.The rebels have been beaten back to a 12 sq km (5 sq m) area. The UN says more than 160,000 civilians have fled from there, but 50,000 remain.
See a map of the region
The announcement came as the United Nations' top humanitarian official, John Holmes, was meeting Sri Lankan officials to call for access for aid workers to the war zone and government-run camps for thousands of displaced people.The announcement came as the United Nations' top humanitarian official, John Holmes, was meeting Sri Lankan officials to call for access for aid workers to the war zone and government-run camps for thousands of displaced people.
Aid workers have been barred from the area since the fighting escalated last year.Aid workers have been barred from the area since the fighting escalated last year.
The rebels say the government is deliberately blocking food aid there - a charge the Sri Lankan authorities have denied.The rebels say the government is deliberately blocking food aid there - a charge the Sri Lankan authorities have denied.
Rebels on back footRebels on back foot
In a statement, the rebels said they were responding to "calls made by the UN, EU, the governments of India and others".In a statement, the rebels said they were responding to "calls made by the UN, EU, the governments of India and others".
They said the unilateral ceasefire would come into immediate effect.They said the unilateral ceasefire would come into immediate effect.
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa however told the BBC the ceasefire was "a joke" that was coming from "the losing side."Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa however told the BBC the ceasefire was "a joke" that was coming from "the losing side."
He said the rebels should release all civilians within the conflict zone immediately.He said the rebels should release all civilians within the conflict zone immediately.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, says the declaration is a sign that the rebels are feeling increasingly under pressure.The BBC's Charles Haviland in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, says the declaration is a sign that the rebels are feeling increasingly under pressure.
He says the government, by contrast, feels it it is moving forward in its campaign against the Tigers and has had them on the back foot for a long time.He says the government, by contrast, feels it it is moving forward in its campaign against the Tigers and has had them on the back foot for a long time.
Click here to return
Are you in Sri Lanka? What is your reaction to events? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions