Tigers' ceasefire labelled a 'gimmick'

The Sri Lankan army launched a heavy offensive on Friday

Sri Lanka's deputy defence minister has dismissed the Tamil Tiger group's announcement that it would begin a unilateral ceasefire on Sunday, as a "gimmick" aimed at building the impression that the Tigers want peace.

Soon after the Tamil Tiger rebels made the announcement, Sri Lankan troops mounted fierce new attacks, which left at least 76 people dead.

Pressure is growing for an end to the conflict

The BBC's Frances Harrison in Colombo says the army offensive suggests the government wants to consolidate its position on the battleground, before the Tigers' deadline for a ceasefire.

An official statement from the media minister said the Tigers' offer could be productive, but should be viewed with caution.

The government, which has not been officially notified of the offer, has yet to confirm whether it will respond with its own ceasefire.

Offensive

A Defence Ministry spokesman said government troops had broken out of their defensive positions at dawn, and advanced on Tiger strongholds in the northern Jaffna peninsula.

Military spokesman Sanath Karunaratne said 25 government troops were killed and 47 wounded, adding that government forces had inflicted heavy losses on the Tamil Tigers, as they captured 34 sq km of territory held by the rebels.

This leaves just 2km of an important supply route in rebel hands.

"We have recovered the bodies of 51 terrorists killed in today's fighting... we believe their losses are even higher," said Mr Karunartne.

There has been no word from the rebels about their casualties.

Reports say more than 1,000 government troops, backed by artillery and air support, took part in the ground assault.

Peace process

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had announced the month-long ceasefire, due to take effect from midnight on 24 December, as a gesture of seasonal goodwill.

The Tigers' statement, issued in London, said that if the Sri Lankan Government responded positively "by ceasing armed hostilities against our forces, and takes steps to implement the Norwegian proposal of mutual confidence-building measure, the LTTE will be prepared to extend the period of peace".

The latest developments come amid growing international pressure on both the government and the rebels to enter into negotiations.

In recent weeks, both sides have indicated they are ready for talks, but have not been able to agree on the conditions under which they might take place.

Suspicion

Despite efforts to start a peace process, fighting has continued - mainly in the north of the island.

The BBC's Frances Harrison says there is suspicion about the sincerity of the Tigers' offer - some people fear they will use a pause in hostilities to re-arm and re-train their forces.

But the main opposition party has said the government should give the ceasefire consideration, while moderate Tamil politicians have called it the "last chance for peace".

More than 60,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the 17-year-old conflict since the rebels began their fight for an independent homeland in the north and east of Sri Lanka.