Christmas truce set to begin in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s government was today preparing for a one month ceasefire with Tamil Tigers rebels, clearing security checkpoints and roadblocks that have made the island’s capital resemble a garrison.
The ceasefire, to take effect at midnight tonight, raised hopes the new government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam may be able to end the 18 year civil war which has killed 64,000 people.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who won December 5 elections after campaigning for peace and economic recovery, ordered most roads reopened and military checkpoints dismantled.
‘‘We are doing our part and we hope that our opponents will not take any undue advantage of the situation,’’ said a Defence Ministry spokesman. The last mutual ceasefire in 1995 was broken by the rebels, halting peace talks.
This morning, most police and military checkpoints were gone. A bunch of marigolds - thrown by a passers-by in a gesture of thanksgiving - hung on a checkpoint where armed soldiers once stood guard.
