The Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka have agreed for a ceasefire with the Sri Lankan government. The mutineers have lost most of their monopoly. They have to now stay in a portion of land in northwest Sri Lanka with around ten thousand civilians.
The government declared that the rebel territory will be soon taken over by it. The call for ceasefire, according to the government, is the ultimate attempt of the radicals to save their lives. Balasingham Nadesan, the chief of Tamil Tigers wrote to the UN about their desire to discuss and bring about an amicable political arrangement. But he is not yet ready to surrender the arms calling them their “tools” and “shield” for political emancipation. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha has agreed to acknowledge a total surrender only.
In 2002, the two parties agreed to reach peace but the talks made way for renewed violence. In 2008 the government decided to finish off the rebels. This has limited the number of militants and they have finally decided to succumb to the government.
