Sri Lanka Rejects Rebels' Ceasefire Call

Gov't calls Tigers' move 'a joke,' demands a full surrender

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 26, 2009 10:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Surrounded by government forces and citing an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers declared a unilateral ceasefire today that was immediately rejected, the Guardian reports. Sri Lanka’s defense chief called the ceasefire “a joke. They were not fighting with us, they were running from us. They must surrender.” At least 2,000 people were killed in the fighting last month.

Sri Lankan soldiers look on near a display consisting of arms captured from Tamil Tiger rebels in Killinochchi. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

A protestor wears a flag with the logo of the Tamil Liberation Tigers during a demonstration in Brussels. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A protester demonstrates against Sri Lanka's military offensive in areas held by the Tamil Tiger separatist group. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

Head of political wing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S.P. Tamilselvan, speaks in a Tamil rebel held town. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Indian Tamil people burn a poster of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a protest in Mumbai, India. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

Sri Lankan soldiers prepare a display consisting of arms captured from Tamil Tiger rebels. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

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Sri Lanka Rejects Rebels' Ceasefire Call

Gov't calls Tigers' move 'a joke,' demands a full surrender

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Gov't calls Tigers' move 'a joke,' demands a full surrender

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civilian casualties • Sri Lanka • Tamil Tigers • surrender • ceasefire • rebels

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UN on Sri Lanka: Government Committed War Crimes

Military blamed for death of tens of thousands of civilians in 2009

Feds: NY Hedge Fund Boss Funded Terror

Donations were funneled to Tamil Tigers

After 26-Year War, Sri Lanka Struggles with Peace

Ethnic tensions remain as Tamil rebels lay down arms

EU Sold Millions in Weapons to Sri Lankan Army

European arms may have been used in civil war atrocities

Sri Lankan Shelling Killed 20,000 Civilians

Photos, UN documents reveal hidden massacre at civil war's end

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