Dismissing the two-day truce announced by the Sri Lankan government as an "eyewash", Tamil Tigers on Tuesday sought an "unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in the island's north with the facilitation of the international community.
The LTTE, which is now confined to the 20-sq-km 'No Fire Zone' in Pudukudiyirippu in Mullaitivu, termed the two-day pause in military operations announced by the government in view of Sinhala and Tamil New Year as an "eyewash".
Condemning the move as a "political drama" aimed at "deceiving the international community and the Tamil people", the LTTE claimed that the Sri Lankan army was continuing indiscriminate shelling and gunfire on civilians.
"We call for a politically and militarily meaningful ceasefire with humanitarian considerations. The LTTE seeks an unconditional and permanent ceasefire conducive for peaceful negotiations," pro-LTTE website TamilNet.com reported, quoting a statement from the Tiger rebels.
"The ceasefire would be meaningful and constructive with the facilitation of the International Community," it said.
