Sri Lanka government rejects rebel ceasefire

The Sri Lankan government has rejected the offer of a ceasefire by Tamil Tiger rebels, on the day the truce was meant to come into effect.

The Tigers made their offer for a one-month truce on Thursday.

But the BBC correspondent in Colombo says that since then, there's been confusion in the government over how to respond.

In its rejection the government said it had already clearly indicated it was willing to hold peace talks, and a ceasefire could only be considered once such negotiations proceeded to the satisfaction of both sides.

It said that until the Tamil Tigers engaged honestly in such a process, military actions would continue. Following the rebels' offer, the government launched a fresh assault, in which its says there were heavy casualties and significant military advances.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service