Sri Lanka truce raises hopes

With the truce in force, the hard work is about to begin

The BBC's Frances Harrison in Colombo

A permanent ceasefire has come into force in Sri Lanka which it is hoped will lead to peace talks between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

The truce, which will be observed by small teams headed by international monitors, has caused great excitement in the predominantly Tamil north of the island.

This is the area worst-affected by the two decades of ethnic conflict.

But some members of the majority Sinhalese community in the south believe their government has made too many concessions.

Details

The ceasefire agreement - signed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the rebels - is open-ended, but either side can give 14 days' notice to terminate the agreement.

Many fighters now hope to go home

This detailed document stipulates not only how the two sides' military forces should behave with one another, but also a range of measures to restore normal life for civilians, and a timetable for implementation.

This includes provisions for an unimpeded flow of non-military goods into rebel areas, opening up of road and rail links in the conflict areas, and the easing of restrictions on fishing.

The idea is to build the right environment of goodwill and confidence to begin talking about a final political settlement.

Suspicions persist

But the Norwegians who have been mediating in the peace process have warned that the two sides are embarking on a long road towards a political solution that will involve risks, uncertainties and hard choices.

Some Sinhalese leaders do not support the deal

Already there are signs of some opposition to the agreement in the south of Sri Lanka, with the prime minister's rival, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, complaining she was not consulted.

She described this as "undemocratic".

The president still wields considerable power as commander in chief of the army, and she herself narrowly survived an assassination attempt by the Tamil Tigers.

She said she was concerned about certain clauses in the ceasefire agreement.

Many people share her reluctance to make concessions to the Tigers, fearful that they will just use this lull in the fighting to recruit more soldiers and capture more territory.