By KUNA,
NEW DELHI : The Sri Lankan government has rejected a US-led international call for a ceasefire and start negotiations with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
According to Indian Radio, SriLankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said flatly the state rejected calls for a ceasefire and remarked that the government will only accept an unconditional surrender by the rebels.
He added that the Tigers had taken advantage of a 48-hour temporary truce last week to launch suicide attacks near the frontlines using trucks loaded with explosives.
He also ruled out negotiation with the rebels on terms of surrender.
His comments came after key donor countries – the US, Japan, Norway, and the European Union – called on the Tigers to lay down their arms and negotiate terms of surrender.(end) Py.wsa KUNA 051210 Feb 09NNNN