Sri Lanka Tigers extend ceasefire

Tigers say ceasefire is a goodwill gesture

Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have extended a unilateral ceasefire for another month as a goodwill gesture.

The Tigers said they were extending the ceasefire, which began on Christmas Eve, to promote Norway's attempts to broker a peace agreement.

In a statement from its London office, the rebel group also urged the international community to pressure the Sri Lankan Government into talks.

The unilateral ceasefire is now due to last until 24 February.

Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim is trying to broker a peace deal

Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim held talks with a Tigers negotiator earlier this month in London.

Positive signals

The government of President Chandrika Kumuratunga has said it wants talks but will not lay down its arms first.

She has, however, suggested that Norway's diplomatic participation is pushing the peace process forward.

Mrs Kumuratunga left Sri Lanka on Thursday for an official visit to India, which has always played a pivotal role in attempts to resolve the conflict.

The rebels have been fighting for an independent homeland in Sri Lanka's north and east for almost two decades.

The Sri Lankan Government has also accused the rebels of violating their own truce.

The rebels, whose main office is in London, are awaiting a British government decision on whether they will be banned in the United Kingdom.

Home Secretary Jack Straw has yet to decide whether the Tigers will be added to a list of proscribed terrorist organisations under new legislation which came into force this week.