Sri Lanka

Government ignores French and British calls for ceasefire

Article published on the 2009-04-29 Latest update 2009-04-29 10:18 TU

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (L), Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband (R) at a news conference in Colombo on 29 April 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband have failed to convince the Sri Lankan government that it is time to end their offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on a visit to the country Wednesday.

“We tried very hard – we insisted and we insisted – but it is up to our friends to allow it or not,” said Kouchner.

“Winning the peace is as vital as winning the war,” his counterpart, Miliband added.

Miliband said they made no breakthrough, although he urged Sri Lankan leaders to agree a ceasefire, to prevent further civilians casualties.

Government officials believe that any ceasefire will enable the LTTE to regroup. They say they are on the verge of victory with rebels cornered in a small area in the northeast of the island.

Meanwhile, the UN says around 6,500 civilians have been killed so far this year, while 50,000 are still trapped in the territory.

In the latest operations, the government says it has destroyed six rebels boats and killed at least 25 LTTE rebels in an early morning raid on Wednesday.

Tamils in France and Britain have vigorously protested against the war in Sri Lanka.